Custodial Services

Since the facility’s opening in 2013, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has struggled to find and retain a reliable, knowledgeable environmental services workforce for correctional and medical facilities. The unique nature of the organization and its facilities—its mission, its need for confidentiality, its sophisticated training requirements, its stringent cleaning requirements, its security clearance mandates, and the people skills required for patient interaction—presented significant challenges to delivering business excellence with a positive social impact.

A Reliable, Effective Workforce

“Before PRIDE Industries, CDCR used an inmate porter system, civil service personnel, and another contractor, but there were a lot of hiring and retention issues with all three,” said a Correctional Business Manager the department. “Then we found PRIDE Industries. Not only did their experience and expertise stand out, but so did their mission to create employment for people with disabilities.”

Beginning with environmental services at facilities in Stockton and Vacaville, in 2019 PRIDE Industries contract with CDCR expanded to the California Medical Facility (CMF), the healthcare service provider at both sites. CMF had experienced emergency environmental services shortfalls due to staffing shortages and put licensure, inmate and employing safety, and patient care at risk.

The PRIDE Industries team’s efforts and infrastructure also resulted in CMF reaching a Healthcare Assessment Maintenance score of 97.1% as of June 2022. These results point to measurable outcomes which preserve the facility’s licensure and its environment of care for patient housing and treatment, ultimately reducing the spread of disease and infection.

The 70 people with disabilities employed by PRIDE Industries at CDCR look forward to working every day. Unlike so many people with disabilities, workers at CHCR are able to experience the dignity of a paycheck and the satisfaction that comes with meaningful work. They’re inspired, and that inspiration has led to low turnover, low absenteeism, and diligent work practices—in other words, business excellence. Many of these employees have advanced in their careers from entry level roles to manager and director responsibilities.

Below, one of these dedicated employees describes her experience with PRIDE Industries at CMF means to them in her own words.

Patricia’s Story

Patricia Prescott has worked as an EVS technician at CMF since December 13, 2020.

I am an EVS tech. I go into the units that PRIDE Industries my company, cleans. We clean cells, offices, nurse stations, exam rooms and medication rooms, bathrooms. We also clean up floodings, and blood, pepper spray, poop, and on occasion vomit.

I like helping others out. I also enjoy cleaning. It relaxes me and helps me think. It’s also amazing exercise and you learn new things every day.

PRIDE Industries has helped me through some hard times. They’re an amazing company to work for. I am very thankful that they’re patient and understanding with my situation.

Some employers would never think about hiring people with disabilities because in their minds they aren’t capable of doing the job. The word “disability” is off-putting to employers. They have negative thoughts about people with disabilities.

They should take a chance on us and let us prove and show you that we are capable of doing the job. Believe in us, because what if that was you? Wouldn’t you want an employer to take a chance on you?

I am very thankful and appreciate PRIDE Industries. My husband is very sick and he’s in and out of the hospital. PRIDE Industries has been very supportive of me and has helped me out. I continue to have a job and I am able to provide for my family because PRIDE Industries is an amazing company. They understand what I am going through and have programs to help me. They offer me help when I need it. Most important, they hire people with disabilities. This company gives us chances to work, gives us opportunities to put ourselves out there trying new things that we think we were never able to do before.

I never once thought I’d step foot into a prison or let alone be working in one. I love my job and am very happy and thankful for it. I plan on staying and helping PRIDE Industries out just like they have helped me.

Business Excellence with a Positive Social Impacte

In just a few years, PRIDE Industries has helped CDCR and CMF move from having a hard time hiring and retaining employees with service shortfalls that put health, safety, and licensure at risk, to a thriving workforce and a stellar Healthcare Assessment Maintenance record. All the while, employees have experienced life-changing employment experiences.

Looking a social impact?

PRIDE Industries builds inclusive, diverse work environments where people with disabilities can thrive. Is your company seeking well-trained, reliable employees? Join our Employment Partner Network today to experience business excellence with a positive social impact.

A clean workplace can be powerful. Across social media channels, cleaning gurus are amassing followers. “Cleanfluencers,” as they’ve been dubbed, are a thing—and for good reason. Not only can an unclean space be fertile ground for pathogens, clutter and debris can lead to injury. Untidy spaces are also bad for our mental health. In fact, a UCLA study found that clutter releases cortisol—sometimes called the stress hormone—affecting everything from mood to productivity. Conversely, a clean, organized space produces feelings of calm and mastery, associated with the release of dopamine and serotonin. And, given that the average person spends 90,000 hours of their life at work, the power of a clean workplace can’t be underestimated. Experts agree and have offered several tips on the causes of clutter and solutions.

A Clean Workplace Begins at the Entrance

Whether it’s the entrance of campus, a building, or an office, first impressions matter—not only to customers but also to employees.

Of course, a clean, clutter-free entrance tells customers that a business is organized and professional, but it also signals employees’ brains, assuring them that they are entering a place that’s inviting and ripe for their own productivity. Once that tone is set—for those who work in a particular space or visit— it’s easier to maintain throughout the business day.

Declutter the Visual Field

Turns out your visual cortex can only handle so much stuff. Put more scientifically, a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience states, “Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation . . . limit[ing] processing capacity of the visual system.” So, those boxes stored up in the corner of your cubicle? They’re competing with your laptop and whatever work needs to be done there.

Visual clutter isn’t limited to the 3-D world. A cluttered desktop screen, a barrage of unopened emails, and multiple open windows all compete for your attention. To remedy this, cleaning gurus suggest taking a few minutes throughout the day to clear your desk, close open windows on your computer screen, and move desktop documents to organized files. A best practice is to keep only what’s essential on both your desk and your desktop—and it’s okay if one of your essentials is a photo of your dog.

Common Scents

When a workplace smells bad, it’s not good. And, according to experts, four culprits are most often the cause: food, standing water, dirty carpets, and improper ventilation. With a trained custodial and facilities maintenance staff, alongside clean-up-after-yourself policies, you can easily address all four.

But there’s more to a clean-smelling workplace than the absence of stink. According to an article in Scientific American, “people who worked in the presence of a pleasant-smelling air freshener also reported higher self-efficacy, set higher goals, and were more likely to employ efficient work strategies . . .” If you’ve ever worked next to a wearer of heavy perfume, you know that “pleasant” is the operative word. Often, a fresh-smelling workplace can be achieved simply via deep, regular cleaning. But if your office staff wants to try out additional aromas, subtle, plant-based scents are a good start.

Let There be (Good) Light

Poor lighting can make an office feel dirty, even when it isn’t. Bad lighting also decreases productivity and can even generate feelings of anxiety or depression. Ideally, a workplace will include access to plenty of natural light—which tends to be more visually appealing than artificial light and is also good for the human brain.

If access to natural light is limited, consider the temperature of your office’s lighting. That’s right, the quality and hue of light are measured by degrees in Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000—with candlelight around 1,900 and daylight between 5,500 and 6,500. For office spaces, the recommended sweet spot is cool white light—in the 3500K-4000K range. Not only does the right light make things look crisp and clean, but it also proves invigorating and boosts productivity.

A Clean Workplace is Safer

Illness and injury are obviously bad for employees and their families, but they’re also really bad for business. According to the Integrated Benefits Institute, worker illness and injury cost U.S. employers $575 billion a year—roughly 1/3 generated by on-the-job accidents. It’s harder to discern how often colds and flu are acquired at work, but an unsanitary workplace is a breeding ground for germs. Similarly, a buildup of dust, lint, mold, and pollen can create breathing hazards.

Meanwhile, clutter creates conditions for falls, bodily strain, and even fire. Clutter also decreases productivity by creating obstacles and making things hard to find. A well-trained custodial staff can help keep surfaces pathogen-free, while diligent facilities managers ensure that all areas—from entryways to manufacturing floors—are clean and well organized.

Leave it Clean

There’s an old backpacker saying, “Whatever you pack in, pack out.” It’s also apropos when it comes to maintaining a clean, clutter-free workspace. Most often, when it comes to work, this means food. If employees bring lunch, take home the containers. If you were kind enough to bring a pizza for your coworkers, make sure the box is dumped in a trash receptacle—one you know will be emptied that evening. Putting everything back in its place, whether on your desk, in the conference room, or kitchen is also key—ensuring you and your coworkers will arrive the next day to a fresh, uncluttered start. And, again, a well-trained custodial staff, one that knows what stays and what goes at the end of the workday, is key.

According to more than a few psychologists, it’s no accident that the rise of the “cleanfluencer” began during the pandemic—nor that it continues amidst a series of unprecedented economic, health, and social factors. At such times, mastery over what can be controlled—notably within the workplace, where so many hours are spent—becomes vital. Of course, as is the case with any trend, the era of the cleaning guru will eventually end. But the power of a clean workplace? That will remain evergreen.

“Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation . . . limit[ing] processing capacity of the visual system.”

Two and a half years after the pandemic sent workers home, many have chosen not to return to the workplace. The “Great Resignation,” as it’s been coined, largely affected service-industry professions where in-person work is required. Specifically, in the commercial cleaning industry, concerns about COVID transmission multiplied this trend. Now, as the world continues to emerge from sheltering in place, the custodial labor shortage continues.

Schools have been dramatically impacted—so much that some school districts are putting students and parents to work with mops and brooms. Medical facilities are struggling, too. In fact, U.S. Medicine reported nearly 70 percent of healthcare experienced “severe custodial worker shortages” in FY 2022—up almost 30 percent since 2021. And unlike cleaning up classrooms, medical cleaning and disinfection require specific knowledge of biosafety protocols.

The shortages don’t stop there, either. Hiring websites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter are flooded with ads for custodians across all business sectors. A recent search of Indeed reveals 67,954 custodial job openings with 59,280 on ZipRecruiter—ranging from corporate offices to gyms; colleges to prisons; shopping malls to senior living centers.

The Pandemic Illuminated a Pre-Existing Problem

While safety concerns around COVID certainly deepened the custodial labor shortage, the truth is that recruitment and retention have long been issues within the industry. The work can be physically demanding, shifts can be undesirable, and pay low. Plus, at an average of 49 years-old, the custodial workforce is aging into retirement—without millennials and Gen-Zers clamoring to fill the gap.

So, now, as staffing shortages rage on—as garbage cans overflow and floors go unswept—facilities managers are wondering how to attract and retain dedicated, skilled custodians.

A Respectable Profession

It’s no mistake that the word “custodian” is derived from the Latin root for “guardian,” “safe-keeper,” and “protector.” Think about it. These were the people charged with facing down a virus whose capacity to spread was barely understood at the start—people who, all along, have been responsible for “protecting” the public from its own waste. Yet, some argue that it took a pandemic to underscore the importance of their jobs.

Tim Vanover, Business Development Director at PRIDE Industries, concurs. “Without highly trained custodians willing to step forward, business would come to a standstill. A company would be unable to provide a safe work environment for its employees and customers,” said Vanover. “It’s past time that organizations recognize their custodial staff’s value and treat them as important contributors to business success.”

Re-evaluating the contributions custodians make in every aspect of public life is vital. So is creating a culture where they are esteemed—one that includes safe working conditions, training and advancement opportunities, and a culture of appreciation and recognition.

But what does this look like in the custodial space?

Safety, Opportunity, and Welcome

According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, custodial work ranks high in occupational injuries, so training in the proper use of chemicals, equipment, and PPE is imperative—as are well-ventilated storage closets and mixing stations. Training should also include slip/fall-prevention and best ergonomic practices.  Once employees are initially taught proper procedures and protocols, ongoing training and support are critical.

Growth opportunities translate to motivated employees. When it comes to opportunity in the custodial sphere, training is again key. Specialized training can lead to advancement and a higher wage—while mitigating the shortage of custodians with unique skills. For example, when the need for hospital environmental technicians skyrocketed, PRIDE Industries partnered with Kaiser Permanente to  create a skills lab where they trained over 30 people to become environmental technicians. Program graduates became eligible for a significant pay raise and a new career path.

A culture of welcome, including appreciation and inclusion, is also key to retaining good employees—especially given that custodians often report feeling undervalued. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to (a) stick around and (b) do their best work. To be welcome also includes opportunities to see oneself as a part of something bigger—as in, “Why do I come to work each day and do what I do?” A story from 1962, well illustrates this point: During his first visit to the NASA space center, JFK noticed a janitor carrying a broom and introduced himself, casually asking the janitor what he was doing. The janitor replied, “Well, Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.” And it was the truth. Similarly, every day, janitors help children learn, help patients recover, and help keep people in business.

Chris Bunch, PRIDE Industries Vice President of Commercial Facilities, puts it this way: “Not only is each member of our custodial service staff key to our mission to create employment for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, they also play vital role in enabling our customers to provide a clean and safe work environment for their team and their customers—ultimately allowing business to carry on effectively.”

Inclusivity and an Often-Overlooked Workforce

PRIDE Industries created its environmental technician program with a focus on inclusivity. Since 2015, with a workforce comprised largely of people with disabilities, the social enterprise has provided environmental services to hospitals in California—including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Beyond the medical sphere, PRIDE Industries custodians staff airports, military facilities, and businesses large and small—to a chorus of praise. Contrary to myth, organizations that employ people with disabilities are highly competitive. According to a 2018 study by Accenture, they boast 72 percent more productivity, 30 percent higher profit margins, and 200 percent higher net income than their counterparts. Their shareholder returns are also higher, their innovation boosted, and their appeal to socially conscious investors heightened.

The custodial labor shortage may continue indefinitely. But facilities managers need not be discouraged. With an eye toward inclusivity and a heightened perception of the custodial workforce’s value, hiring and retaining dedicated, hard-working employees—even amidst a labor shortage—is possible.

“It’s past time that organizations recognize their custodial staff’s value and treat them as important contributors to business success.”

Ready to take your cleaning and custodial services to the next level? Check out these recommendations. Explore cleaning industry trade shows, courses, and more.

Does green cleaning feature in your custodial services? Discover the latest innovations at this event designed for leaders whose remit includes sustainability. Learn more.

Want to ‘brush up’ on best practices for cleaning carpets, hard surfaces, and restrooms? This curriculum counts toward the CMI Expert Custodial Technician certification. Learn more.

How do you transform the culture of cleaning? Find out in this course designed to help teams and managers become more productive, while satisfying customer expectations. Learn more.

Navigating the global cleaning supply chain? It’s an ongoing challenge. Finetune your capabilities, as you network with cleaning product producers and supply chain experts. Learn more.

Want to improve your negotiating and mentoring skills? Develop your commercial acumen across a range of core areas, chosen to help you boldly lead your cleaning team. Learn more.

What better way to elevate your cleaning knowledge, than with live demonstrations and education? This event showcases advanced processes and equipment in the cleaning industry. Learn more.

The world’s largest laundry expo, attracting nearly 12,000 attendees to explore equipment, and services. As a co-owner of the show, TRSA conducts the Clean Show Experience. Learn more.

Let’s Talk Business

Why wait for an event, when you can explore best practices in commercial cleaning today? Speak with our custodial services team, certified CIMS-Green Building with Honors.

From omnipresent hand sanitizer, to “sealed for your protection” messages on fast-food containers, the pandemic has put disinfection on our collective radar. And, when it comes to commercial facilities, one certification not only ensures cleanliness, but also a level of disinfection that means safety: ISSA’s CIMS certification.

But who is ISSA AND what does CIMS certification entail?

And how do you know what truly protects a facility’s occupants and if your chosen custodial services providers are meeting the mark?

A valuable certification from ISSA, formerly known as the International Sanitary Supply Association, can offer assurance.

Known as “the worldwide cleaning industry association,” ISSA oversees the stringent Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification.

According to ISSA, CIMS certification “is proof your company follows the proper use of disinfection products and follows the stringent manufacturer procedures for proper use.”

Achieving this certification, per ISSA, can also empower organizations to:

  • Develop best practices
  • Operate more efficiently
  • Validate performance and quality

But what, really, does this translate to? What does it mean to be CIMS certified? And, taking certification a step further, what’s required to achieve CIMS certification with Honors or CIMS Green Building (CIMS GB) certification?

CIMS Certification: The Gold Standard for Cleaning

Put simply, to be CIMS Certified means an organization has taken cleaning and disinfection beyond the hype.

CIMS-certified cleaning service providers represent the top one-quarter of one percent of all cleaning services. To achieve CIMS certification, an organization must demonstrate compliance in five core areas:

  • Quality systems
  • Service delivery
  • Human resources
  • Management commitment
  • Health, safety, and environmental stewardship

Organizational performance in these areas is measured against the ISSA CIMS standard. And if an organization scores high enough, they are granted certification “with Honors.”

The CIMS standard offers a management framework designed to ensure customer satisfaction, quality, and efficiency—three things that Brenda Sanchez, Custodial Program Integrator at PRIDE Industries, understands.

“Compliance with the standard demonstrates that a cleaning operation is structured to deliver consistent, quality services designed to meet the customer’s needs and expectations,” says Sanchez.

With the pandemic, these needs and expectations expanded, with safety becoming paramount.

“CIMS certification also underscores a key message to building occupants: It is safe to use this building, even during a pandemic,” Sanchez goes on to say. “This provides significant peace of mind in every workplace.”

How to Become CIMS Certified

The CIMS certification process begins with an internal review of an organization’s cleaning procedures.

ISSA then evaluates these procedures against the CIMS standard.

During this process, an independent ISSA assessor reviews supporting documentation. Next, the assessor conducts an on-site review of the applicant’s systems, processes, and documentation.

In addition, the assessor may visit the applicant’s customers or locations. A detailed review helps ensure consistency of cleaning processes and systems.

High-scoring applicants may then be awarded the CIMS certification with Honors, as was the PRIDE Industries team that Brenda Sanchez supports.

Sanchez oversaw a successful recertification process, including on-site audits in Sacramento, Calif. The final report recognized the “excellent progress” made by all team members “in taking CIMS to the next level and implementing ongoing process improvement.”

“I’m grateful to have been part of PRIDE’s journey as a CIMS certified service provider since our initial certification in 2013,” she says.

“I’m proud of the process improvement in conjunction with the integration of our best practices and lessons learned from our standardized processes and procedures. It’s exciting to see the move from being reactive to highly optimized, offering our customers consistency in service level and efficiency.”

CIMS Certification and Sustainability

As much as safety has come to the fore, so has how it’s achieved. If your hand sanitizer’s packaging will stick around a landfill for the next 500 years, should this be factored into its overall benefit? The jury may be out on that one, but, overall, customers and investors alike are becoming more socially conscious—and looking for the same in their facilities management partners.

“Green” building practices are becoming a business imperative as well as a social one, and ISSA has taken this into consideration. In addition to their core areas of assessment, green building practices can also be considered for CIMS-GB (Green Building) certification.

As a “sixth dimension of CIMS,” CIMS-GB certification offers customers assurance that an organization is prepared to partner with them in the LEED process,” according to ISSA.

LEED refers to “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” which is a green building rating system managed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Per ISSA, CIMS-GB vendors are considered capable of helping “secure points under the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Green Building Rating System.”

By focusing on environmental improvements, a CIMS-GB certification encourages sustainability best practices in facility management.

“There is a lot of value in partnering with a company that is CIMS-GB certified,” Sanchez says. “It tells customers that this organization has conformed to the requirements set forth and has demonstrated compliance to an independent, accredited assessor.”

The expertise of a GB-certified vendor can also pay dividends for investors.

“LEED helps investors implement management practices to prioritize building efficiency, decrease operational costs, increase asset value and ensure productivity, comfort, health and wellbeing for occupants,” according to the USGBC.

But, for today’s investors, green practices are about more than the bottom line.

“Today’s investors are more environmentally aware,” says Sanchez. “When it comes to sustainability, they care that we care.”

Let’s Talk Business

Want to bring your cleaning standards to the next level? Now’s the time. Follow ISSA standards by partnering with a dedicated team, certified CIMS-Green Building with Honors. Contact us today.

“There is a lot of value in partnering with a company that is CIMS-Green Building certified. It tells our customers that we are an organization that has conformed to the requirements set forth and has demonstrated compliance to an independent, accredited assessor.

“CIMB certification underscores a key message to building occupants: It is safe to use this building, even during a pandemic. This provides significant peace of mind in every workplace ”

CIMS Certification with Honors

Whether you’re hiring a new custodial services provider or keeping your current one through the coming year, a thorough review of the custodial services contracts is critical.

A reliable contract janitorial services business should provide you with a detailed contract—one that ensures consistently high standards of sanitation and cost-effective value. In short, a contract amounts to a document of accountability.

With decades of experience in providing contract custodial services, PRIDE Industries knows what constitutes a thorough contract. Here, they sum up five key factors your business should consider when reviewing custodial services contracts.

1: Resourcing and Scheduling

How many cleaners should be scheduled during business hours? What about on evenings, weekends, and holidays?

What, as Goldilocks said, is “just right?”

“The pandemic showed us that one size doesn’t fit all,” says Tim Vanover, Director of Business Development at PRIDE Industries. “Monitoring peak facility usage times and planning for your resource and staff needs are critical in being able to provide a safe and comfortable work environment for employees and visitors.”

workers cleaning around office

Make sure your custodial services contract specifies minimum resourcing requirements. You should also document if there are key periods when scope may increase.

2: To Sub or Not to Sub

Considering subcontractors?

A custodial services contract should specify whether subcontractors may help deliver services.

If subcontractors are engaged, will they have the same or equivalent certifications as your preferred vendor? Get this in writing.

“Peace of mind comes from knowing you can rely on high standards of service delivery. Workforce continuity also depends on consistently high levels of sanitation,” says Randy Gregorcyk, Operations Director and Program Development Director at PRIDE Industries.

“If subcontractors may be engaged, verify their procedures. You can do this by asking them to provide third-party certifications.”

For example, ISSA offers the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification, as well as CIMS-Green Building (GB) and even CIMS-GB with Honors.

You can check whether an organization holds these certifications using the CIMS Directory.

CIMS Certification with Honors

3: Custodial Services Reporting: How Much Do You Want to Know?

How often should reporting be provided? You can provide input on this component of a janitorial contract.

Whether you want daily reporting or a broader view of months, quarters, or years, make sure your custodial services contract includes a section to this end.

Many reporting requirements can be automated, helping streamline the sharing of updates. Be sure to agree with the prospective vendor on the full scope of reporting, from materials usage to customer satisfaction. Include a high-level overview of these requirements within the contract.

4: Get the Right Tools for the Job

As part of contract negotiations, determine whether the vendor—or you, as the customer—will be responsible for tools and supplies.

Ensure that the equipment supplied is EPA-approved. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should also be made available, per the requirements of your facility and industry. Make this clear within your janitorial services contract.

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, offers the GBAC Star Facility Accreditation. This accreditation indicates that a facility is safe and hygienic. Maintaining GBAC Star certification means adhering to certain cleaning and disinfection protocols.

commercial floor cleaning

If your facility holds GBAC Star status, or if you’re in the process of gaining this certification, check that the required protocols are reflected in your janitorial services contract. After all, five of the 20 program elements for GBAC Star certification relate to cleaning supplies.

5: Keep Your Custodial Services Contract Green

Is sustainability a core part of your organization’s objectives?

If so, make sure your janitorial contract stipulates a requirement for sustainable cleaning processes.

An organization’s sustainability practices have become increasingly important to environmentally conscious customers and investors. Moreover, eco-friendly cleaning supplies enable healthier commercial spaces for both employees and visitors.

Sustainable supplies and practices can also help your organization earn points towards the Green Cleaning Products and Material Credit for LEED’s Building Operations and Maintenance Certification.

Make clear any requirements for green supplies and protocols within your service delivery contract.

Stay Flexible

During uncertain times, which seems to be all the time, leaders often feel the pressure to balance rising costs alongside other organizational objectives.

However, quality control in sanitation must remain a top priority for all commercial facilities.

If you are under pressure to reduce costs, you may want to consider contract janitorial services that feature flexible terms. This can often be a good solution if you are struggling to fill in-house cleaning jobs due to seasonality or other variables. Contract cleaning services can also help you manage temporary spikes in demand, including those caused by seasonal travel.

Let's Talk Business

Want to learn more about best practices in commercial cleaning? Speak with experts from our commercial cleaning team, certified CIMS-Green Building with Honors. Contact us today.