Thank your cleaner day:The people behind the clean

Eight of our cleaning colleagues from around the country share how they got started, what keeps them coming back, and why their work matters far more than most people realise.

They're often the first ones in and the last ones out. They know which door sticks, which corner always gathers dust, and which colleague likes a quick chat first thing on a Monday. Our cleaning teams look after the places where we all work and visit every day – and most of the time, we never see them do it.

So this Thank Your Cleaner Day, we asked eight of them to tell us about themselves. Their stories are wonderfully different. One joined us five months ago; another has 44 years of experience behind her. Some started with no idea what the job involved, and one now manages the whole team. But read them side by side and the same things keep coming up: pride, teamwork, and real care for the people around them.

Here they are, in their own words.

Part one - Fresh starts

Jackson

General Cleaning Operative · 6 months with Sodexo

Jackson has only been with us for six months, but he's been all in from day one. "I'm always happy to take on any task allocated to me and contribute wherever I can," he says.

What's made it feel like the right place? The people. "My colleagues are friendly and supportive. The workplace is safe, and I feel appreciated by both management and my supervisors." He takes real pride in leaving every area clean, organised and fully stocked – because, as he puts it, "it's rewarding to know that people can focus on their work without having to worry about the cleanliness and supplies around them."

Away from work you'll find him on a football pitch. And here's his favourite surprise: "I used to dislike English at school, but now I live in Ireland and use English every day. Looking back, I never expected that!" Overcoming that fear is the thing he's proudest of. "Today I can communicate confidently in English. It's something I worked hard to achieve."

Cleaning is much more than many people think. It requires commitment, attention to detail and hard work every day.

Jackson

Maria

5 months with Sodexo

Maria is no stranger to hard work. Over the years she's been a kitchen porter, a childminder, and a cleaner in schools, offices and apartments. When she found out she was pregnant, she stepped away from work to look after her daughter.

Twelve years later, she spotted that Sodexo was looking for cleaners, applied, interviewed – and five months on, she's happy and already growing in the role. What she loves most is simple: knowing she's done a good job, and seeing that people notice. Her approach to great service is just as simple – she cleans every space as if it were her own home.

Something her colleagues might not know? Maria is from Mauritius, which she'll happily tell you is a beautiful country. And her proudest achievement is her daughter.

Her message for everyone else is one we'll be thinking about for a while: cleaners are pivotal to every workplace. Without them, nothing runs smoothly.

Part two - Growing in the roles

Loredana

Sodexo Ireland

Ask Loredana why she's stayed and she doesn't hesitate. "Working here, I feel that people matter. I like the way our supervisors treat us with kindness and understanding."

That support has helped her grow, too – she's built up new skills using electrical cleaning equipment. But the best part of the job? "The interaction with the team."

For Loredana, great service comes down to the basics done brilliantly: being punctual, following the rules, doing the job well and taking responsibility for what's expected. And she has a lovely way of describing what the role really means.

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To be a cleaner, you are prioritising other people instead of yourself – because we care about their safety.

Loredana

Zuzanna

7 years with Sodexo

"To be honest, I didn't know much about Sodexo at first," Zuzanna admits. "But I saw an opportunity and decided to give it a try."

Seven years later, she's glad she did. "I learned along the way and gradually grew in my role. Over the years I've gained more experience, taken on new responsibilities and grown both personally and professionally. It's been a great journey so far." What's kept her here is exactly that: the chance to keep learning, and a supportive environment to do it in.

Here's something her colleagues might not guess: "I'm actually quite a shy person – but I really enjoy helping others and making sure everything is done to a high standard." Her proudest achievements? How far she's come in her career, and her sons. "Watching them grow and become good people."

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It's an important job. It helps keep the environment safe and welcoming. It takes teamwork, care and attention to detail.

Zuzanna

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Victor

Cleaning supervisor - Almost 4 years with Sodexo

Victor first heard about Sodexo through a family member who already worked here. Almost four years on, Victor has moved from General Cleaner through several areas of the site to Cleaning Supervisor – "continuing to develop my skills and gain valuable experience" all the way.

The positive atmosphere, the colleagues and the workplace itself are what make the job, says Victor. "All of these make me feel comfortable and proud of the work I do." Along the way have come strong relationships with clients, better communication skills and a broader understanding of different cultures – which helps, when you speak three languages.

Victor enjoys the routine and structure of the role, and has clear priorities: being professional, working safely and delivering high-quality service, so that "both I and the client are satisfied with the quality of the finished work." Outside work, the proudest achievement is easy to name – two children, raised with a good education to become responsible citizens.

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Sarah

Cleaning manager - 18 months with Sodexo

Sarah joined Sodexo when we took over the site she already worked at – and in the 18 months since, she's gone from cleaner to Cleaning Manager. "I'm proud of how far I've come," she says. "It's helped me gain more confidence, leadership and communication skills."

But don't expect to find her behind a desk. "Being a manager doesn't mean sitting back. I love getting stuck in and cleaning alongside the team." It's a principle, not just a habit: "I expect high standards from myself before I expect them from anyone else, and I'd never ask someone to do something I wouldn't." Everyone has a bad day, she adds, and that's when she likes to help her team out.

She also loves "a bit of craic and banter" with her team and everyone in the building. "You can work hard, take pride in what you do and still enjoy yourself – otherwise it would be a long, boring day!" And at home, she's proudest of her kids, and of showing them that hard work pays off.

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Part Three- A lifetime of care

Doreen

44 years' experience

"To be honest, I didn't know much about Sodexo at first," Zuzanna admits. "But I saw an opportunity and decided to give it a try."

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Jackie

29 years with Sodexo

Jackie first came to us because the job was closer to home and the hours suited her family. She spent 25 years in catering – and loved it, especially meeting all the new students. "I love learning," she says, "and I use it to help others."

Then she made what she calls her "best move" – over to "the best side… cleaning." She clearly made the right call: in her very first year, she won an award at the NI Cleaning Awards.

Why has she stayed so long? "It just works. I like Sodexo. I love my job." For Jackie, it's about the people and that sense of achievement – doing the job well, learning along the way and being part of the team. When she's off the clock, she's making jewellery, doing cross-stitch, or curled up with a good book.

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They are the salt of the earth. We are the foundation – the unsung heroes who don't always get the respect of others.

Jackie

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What their stories tell us

What a career in cleaning really looks like

Put these eight stories together and a picture emerges – one that might surprise anyone who thinks of cleaning as "just a job".

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You can start anywhere

Zuzannadidn'tknowmuchaboutSodexowhenshejoined.Mariacamebackaftertwelveyearsathome.Bothfoundaplacetogrow.

There's room to grow

Sarahwentfromcleanertomanager.Victorbecameasupervisor.Loredanalearnednewequipmentskillsalongtheway.

It's a team

Againandagain,peoplenamedtheircolleagues–andhelpingeachotherout–asoneofthebestpartsofthejob.

It really matters

Againandagain,peoplenamedtheircolleagues–andhelpingeachotherout–asoneofthebestpartsofthejob.

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Join us in saying thank you!

This Thank Your Cleaner Day, take a moment to thank the people who look after your spaces – in person, with a note, or by sharing your thanks with #ThankYourCleanerDay.

And if these stories have you thinking about a career in cleaning, we'd love to hear from you.

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