Supervisors clean up with new responsibilities

Sue Walton and Maurice Bates
Strategy case study

Changes to the role of the cleaning supervisor have resulted in a more efficient and effective cleaning department.

With more responsibility and autonomy, the supervisors who oversee a team of approximately twenty cleaners each, believe they are now better organised.

"Being able to make more decisions and solve local problems is important because we're located in remote areas of the campus. With more responsibility for how our teams work, we've been able to give them more of a routine. The cleaners are now more efficient because they work on the same floor most days and get used to the area.

"The added responsibility has also made us feel more valued. We have more paperwork and yes, there are more challenges, but if that makes things more effective then it's definitely worthwhile.

"We believe we play an important role at the University, although much of it is behind the scenes. Recently level six of the Garstang building was renovated and because of delays we ended up cleaning it several times before it was handed over. We also deal with special events at short notice and work as a team to help each other out. But our work doesn't go unnoticed. We get emails thanking us for our hard work and this recognition really motivates the staff to do an even better job.

"Communication is key and it is getting better. We've met with the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for staff and students and we've seen that they have taken on board what we've said. We hope people are happy with what we do and that they will tell us when they aren't, that way we can make things better."

See the strategy webpages: www.leeds.ac.uk/strategy

Photo: Sue Walton