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What if the cleaner was your colleague?
20th of February 2026 Article by Wioleta Tomaszewska
In a time when social sustainability is as important as environmental and economic sustainability, working hours and inclusion are part of how we build good workplaces. Wioleta Tomaszewska - a BU support planner in cleaning at Coor FM (one of the leading service providers in the Nordics) and lecturer in cleaning management - tells us why in this piece for ECJ.
Cleaners often start their workday when others have gone home. They work alone in empty corridors - invisible, yet essential to ensure that everything runs smoothly the next morning. International studies show that evening and night shifts increase psychological strain, harm health, and heighten the risk of social exclusion. Perhaps it is time to ask: why do we still organise cleaning this way?
An international survey from UNI Global Union and UNI Europa (2023) found that nearly 70 per cent of night-shift cleaners report sleep problems and reduced quality of life. The same study shows that evening and night work negatively affects family life and overall wellbeing, while seven out of 10 say they work these hours because they have no choice.
In the Erasmus+ Ergoclean project, 72 per cent of cleaning supervisors and 46 per cent of cleaning staff reported that their work is mentally demanding. The findings point in the same direction: working time has a major impact on health, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.
Building trust through visibility
When cleaning takes place during the day, natural encounters arise - in corridors, during breaks and throughout the workday. Direct contact makes it easier to address small issues immediately without involving several parties. When clients can speak directly to the cleaner, misunderstandings and complaints decrease and managers gain time for other tasks.
This proximity builds trust and cooperation. The cleaner becomes a familiar face, the threshold for dialogue lowers, and mutual respect grows. When people connect, systems improve.
A healthy social workplace
When cleaning is performed within regular working hours, cleaning staff become a natural part of the workplace community. They are seen, greeted and included on equal footing with others. This fosters belonging, reduces loneliness and strengthens a culture of mutual respect. Daytime cleaning is therefore not only about schedules, but about being part of the workplace - not just a service in the background.
Can cleaning and childcare coexist?
Many assume that cleaning during daytime is impossible in kindergartens or schools. Yet with planning and dialogue, it works remarkably well. It is about communication and mutual understanding.
When staff and cleaners together create a plan for what should be cleaned and when, it provides predictability and comfort for everyone. It is equally important that cleaners feel confident to initiate dialogue - and that employers recruit people who enjoy interaction and cooperation.
What about the manager?
Supervisors also benefit. Daytime work reduces stress and dependence on calls and messages outside of working hours. Communication becomes closer and support easier to provide. Clear expectations and boundaries create stability - for both leaders and staff.
Daytime work strengthens language and belonging
For many migrants, cleaning is the first job after arriving in a new country. Many speak limited local language and know little about the labour culture. Working evenings and alone offers few opportunities to learn or participate. Daytime cleaning, on the other hand, creates an arena for language practice, social contact and inclusion in the community.
Daily interaction with colleagues and users provides opportunities for learning and inspiration. It can broaden networks, build confidence and even open doors for further development within working life.
We are all clients
Cleaning concerns all of us - every day, in every workplace, in every building. Social sustainability is not only about environment and economy, but about giving people dignity and a sense of community at work.
What can we do to increase awareness of the social value of cleaning? How can we get clients on our side - to see cleaning as a valuable and integrated part of the work environment, not just a service to be purchased?
Small actions make a big difference: sharing news from the sector, showcasing good examples, and highlighting workplaces where the work culture truly thrives. Recognising clients and partners who lead by example can inspire others.
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