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A week in the life of… a janitor team leader
We speak to Lesley Skinner, who leads a team of seven janitors at Saffron Housing. Her role has changed considerably since the beginning of the pandemic
Monday
I begin my week at our head office testing for safety one of the gas craftworkers’ tools. We do this twice a year to make sure all electrical appliances are safe. If any faults are found it is my responsibility to make sure new equipment is ordered.
Next I head to a scheme to bleach-clean all the surfaces people touch often. This process has been essential in keeping our tenants and staff safe during the pandemic.
I then catch up with my manager on Teams about introducing new cleaning equipment, then head to a scheme to carry out a full laundry clean, which we do once a week.
My last visit of the day is at one of our care schemes, where I complete two void inspections.
In the afternoon I have calls with colleagues in our operational delivery teams to assist with planning in new jobs, so I can get a strategic understanding of what is happening.
Tuesday
I head to one of our schemes to carry out an in-depth clean. My team have a schedule where we carry out a deep clean every week.
Another part of my role involves checking our empty properties to ensure all works have been completed before a new tenant can move in. Today involves taking photos at two properties, which will be used to document any repairs or compliance issues.
Then I catch up on admin and make calls, including liaising with contractors working on our void properties.
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Wednesday
Throughout the pandemic, my team have visited our supported housing and care schemes to ensure they are clean and safe, and we do this today.
We speak to tenants, in a socially distanced way, about their well-being, and it’s also a chance for them to ask questions.
Thursday
Today is a busy day as I cover the cleaning schedule for a member of my team who works part-time.
Then I have a welfare check-in with one of my janitors on Teams. It’s important we keep in touch with our colleagues to check they are alright, or if there is anything they need or would like to talk about.
Friday
I receive a call from one of my team members to say there has been a suspected COVID-19 case at one of our schemes. When this happens, we have to be prepared to potentially self-isolate for 10 days to make sure that we and our tenants are safe.
I soon have an update to say there has been no contact, so I am fine to continue my working day.
As it’s the end of the week, I plan ahead to ensure we have the correct resource to look after our schemes. I have a virtual meeting with my manager to discuss the options we have.
Then it’s almost time to relax and switch off the laptop and see what next week will bring.
Do you know an outstanding professional who deserves to be featured? Email jess.mccabe@insidehousing.co.uk with your suggestions
A week in the life series
Our ‘A week in the life’ series features housing professionals talking through what they do in their job on a day-to-day basis.
Find out about the different challenges housing workers in a variety of roles face in a given week.
We aim to feature staff from housing associations, ALMOs, local authorities and more.
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague for inclusion
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