Janitor 340239 225497598 2008-07-14T00:31:37Z SchfiftyThree 556700 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]]