GP PRO study reveals profile and perceptions of maintainers in the US

GP PRO, a division of Georgia-Pacific and a benchmark in distribution solutions for commercial facilities, conducted a study with 200 maintainers in the United States to understand their habits, challenges and perceptions of the profession. The results show a scenario of engagement and stability, contrary to the idea of high turnover in the sector.

Among the habits analyzed, the survey asked what maintainers usually listen to while at work. The survey revealed that 45% prefer podcasts, 15% choose audiobooks, 17% listen to music and 24% carry out their activities in complete silence.

The study also investigated how these professionals identify themselves. The term “maintainer” was chosen by 36% of respondents, followed by “cleaner” (30%), “janitor” (23%) and “custodian” (12%), indicating that the terminology still varies between workers.

Another point addressed was the perception of cleaning public toilets. The survey showed an even split: 54% said that men’s toilets are the messiest, while 47% pointed to women’s toilets. However, when segmented by gender, 82% of men said that men’s toilets are dirtier, and 85% of women said the same about women’s toilets.

ENGAGED PROFESSIONALS AND GROWTH PROSPECTS

Contrary to the belief that there is a high turnover in the sector, the study revealed that 41% of maintainers have been working in the area for more than 10 years. In addition, 98% of workers between the ages of 25 and 64 plan to stay in the sector for the long term, and 57% want to remain in the same job for as long as possible.

The survey also highlighted opportunities for growth: 55% of professionals aged between 25 and 54 believe they can advance their career within the cleaning sector.

JOB SATISFACTION AND ROUTINE CHALLENGES

The survey showed a high level of job satisfaction. In total, 82% of those interviewed said they were satisfied with their job. Among the factors that contribute to this perception, 68% consider the salary to be adequate, 59% value health benefits and 55% highlight flexible working hours.

Despite general satisfaction, there are challenges. Cleaning toilets was cited as one of the most difficult activities, with 67% of respondents saying they would like this task to be faster and more efficient. In addition, a quarter of respondents recognize that the job can be dirty and demanding, but only 8% find their duties unpleasant.

RECOGNITION AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION

The survey also assessed how maintainers believe they are perceived by the public. While 46% said they had already received praise for their service, 11% said they had never received any recognition.

When asked how they would like to be perceived, 46% said they considered themselves to be important, trustworthy and appreciated professionals. Among the interviewees’ accounts of their expectations regarding recognition, phrases such as:

• “A simple thank you can make my day so much brighter.”
• “I am always striving to do my best.”
• “I bring dedication and commitment to my work every day.”
• “I hope people recognize that behind every clean space is someone dedicated to making it happen.”

The results of the survey show that maintenance workers are engaged, satisfied and loyal to the sector, debunking the idea that there is high turnover in the area. Despite the challenges, most workers see value in what they do and want to continue working in the cleaning sector in the long term.

GP PRO carried out the study in partnership with the consultancy Savanta, which coordinated the data collection and analysis. The full report can be accessed on the company’s website.