15/10/2026
Happy National Thank Your Cleaner Day.
To every cleaner out there, thank you. We see you, we appreciate you, and we couldn't do without you.
Yesterday, I spent some time with a team of cleaning professionals, and I've come away thinking about something that really got to me.
During our conversations, one person said, "I'm just the cleaner."
Another told me that because they only worked part-time, they didn't feel as important as those working full-time.
And do you know what? That genuinely upset me.
Because there is no just about being a cleaner.
These people graft. They work incredibly hard, often behind the scenes, doing a job that so many of us take for granted.
They help keep our schools, hospitals, care homes, hotels and workplaces clean, safe and hygienic. They help protect us from the spread of infection. They make environments welcoming. They help maintain people's dignity.
Yet here they were, feeling that their contribution wasn't as important as someone else's.
How have we allowed people who do such an important job to feel this way?
Every single person in a workplace has a part to play. Job titles, working hours and pay grades don't determine someone's worth or the importance of their contribution.
So, if you're a cleaner reading this, please don't ever think you're just a cleaner.
You're an essential part of the team. Your work matters. And you deserve to be treated with respect.
And if you manage a team of cleaners, please take a moment to tell them how much they matter. Not just today, but throughout the year.
Because everyone deserves to feel valued for what they do.
