Janitor
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2008-07-14T00:31:37Z
SchfiftyThree
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/98.28.19.56|98.28.19.56]] to last version by GettysGuy1863 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}}
:''For the [[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]] character, see [[Janitor (Scrubs)]]
A '''janitor''' is a person who takes care of a building, such as a [[school]], [[office building]], or [[apartment]] block. Janitors are responsible primarily for [[cleaning]], and often (though not always) some [[Maintenance, repair and operations|maintenance]] and [[security]].
== Titles ==
Janitor is derived from the Latin word ''[[Janus (mythology)|Janus]]'' meaning "doorkeeper"
(see also [[building superintendent]]). A female janitor was formerly called a '''janitress'''. (The title '''custodian''' is sometimes given to janitors merely as a term of higher respect, however, generally speaking, '''custodians''' tend to have higher salaries, and more responsibilities. They may also be required to receive training and licensing in various fields [e.g., [[Hazmat]], [[CPR]], [[Boiler|Boiler Operations]], etc.], depending on their employer and the specific nature of their job. In these respects a '''custodian''' may be considered to be different from a '''janitor'''.) In some settings janitors are called '''housekeepers''' or '''housekeeping staff''' and in others they are referred to as '''maintenance''' or '''maintenance staff'''. Institutions have also come up with a number of [[politically correct]] alternative job titles, including:
* ''Porter
* ''Custodial technician''
* ''Sanitation supervisor''
* ''Domestic engineer''
* ''Guest Service Associate (G.S.A.)''
* ''Environmental Services Associate''
* ''Care taker
* ''Industrial Floor Maintenance Sanitation Engineer (Rite Care tm)
* ''The Crew
* ''General cleaner''
* ''Physical Plant & Planning''
[[Image:Janitorworking.jpg|thumb|A janitor working]]
== Occupational tasks ==
Typical janitorial work often consists of the following tasks:
* Cleaning bathrooms
** [[Sink]]s
** [[Toilet]]s
** [[Urinal]]s
* Cleaning floors
* Emptying trash and recycling bin
* Cleaning carpeting
* Cleaning stainless steel and other special surfaces
* Stripping and waxing floors
* Locking and unlocking buildings at the beginning and end of the day
== Outsourcing ==
Cleaning is one of the most commonly [[outsourcing|outsourced]] services. Some of the reasons for this include:
* Basic cleaning tasks are standardised, with little variation among different enterprises.
* The nature of the job and required standard of performance can be clearly defined and specified in a contract, unlike more technical or professional jobs for which such specification is harder to develop.
* Many organizations which predominantly employ higher paid workers feel uncomfortable dealing with labour relations with low paid employees; by outsourcing, these labour relations issues are transferred to a contractor whose staff are comfortable and experienced in dealing with these issues, and their approach can benefit from [[economies of scale]].
* If a cleaner is unavailable due to sickness or leave, a contractor which employs many cleaners can easily assign a substitute. A small organisation which employs one or a few cleaners directly will have much more trouble with this.
== Median salaries per employer type (US) ==
* [[School]] – US$ 22,200
* [[Hospital]] – US$ 24,000
* Non-profit organization – US$ 16,280
* [[Federal government]] – US$ 30,000
* [[College]]/[[University]] – US$ 29,000 [http://www.payscale.com/salary-survey/vid-16390/fid-6886]
==See also==
* [[Property caretaker]]
{{Modern cleaning roles}}
[[Category:Cleaning and maintenance occupations]]
[[da:Pedel]]
[[de:Hausmeister]]
[[gd:Neach-àire]]
[[ja:学校用務員]]
[[ksh:Huusmeejster (Berof)]]
[[nl:Conciërge]]
[[simple:Janitor]]
[[sr:Хаузмајстор]]
[[fi:Vahtimestari]]
[[sv:Vaktmästare]]