Janitors who work alone say speed beats safety, and nobody says thank you

Researchers at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries interviewed 23 janitors, many of whom spend six hours or more of each shift without a co-worker or supervisor nearby. Safety+Health Magazine reported the findings on November 3.

Participants said finishing on time mattered more to supervisors than finishing safely, and that workloads often exceeded what the shift allowed. Rushing left some with headaches and others feeling worried, tired or low. Several said raising a problem sometimes led to fewer hours rather than more help.

One finding stands out for its simplicity: small words of encouragement made a real difference, yet participants said they rarely heard them from supervisors, clients or the public. Workers with limited English reported feeling especially unseen.

The researchers point employers toward a "psychological safety climate": asking whether health comes before speed, and whether workers can talk openly about problems.