What is a Day Porter? Why Should I Hire one?

What is a Day Porter?

You may never have heard the term “Porter”, but in any commercial facility, their duties are a crucial part of keeping a commercial facility clean and running smoothly. A Porter, sometimes called Day Porter, is someone on site at a commercial space or facility who’s job is to clean, maintain and watch out for overall cleanliness. While a janitorial service or cleaning staff may clean from top to bottom at night, a porter is there during the day, to make sure a space stays tidy while it’s in use.

Why Should I Hire a Day Porter Service?

There a few reasons to consider adding a day porter service to your facility maintenance solutions. Porters are great for keeping a positive appearance at your facility or commercial space, and they’re versatile. Whether you’re a school, office or industrial space, day porters can be a great way to manage the day to day details of keeping a facility safe and healthy.

To give you an even clearer picture of these services, we’ve outlined three industries where day porters can make a huge impact. For each scenario, we’ll cover the value they bring, the duties they fulfill and the soft skills needed for someone in this role.

Porters in Schools

Porters in schools will often maintain and monitor status of restrooms, hallways, cafeteria and classrooms. A good day porter can give students a clean, safe space to learn, reinforce parents’ confidence in the school and make teachers feel at home in a well-maintained workplace.

Common Responsibilities:

• Maintain restrooms, ensuring they’re well stocked and tidy
• Wipe down cafeteria tables
• Keep hallways trash-free
• On Site for emergency cleaning situations

Additional Soft Skills:

• Positive attitude
• Works well around kids
• Helpful, knowledgeable and open-minded

Porters in Office Buildings

In an office environment, porters can be an invaluable part of the building staff. During the workday, a porter is there to help keep the facility running smoothly, giving employees a clean, healthy space to do their best work.

Common Responsibilities:

• Monitor and tidy kitchen or break room
• Tidy coffee or refreshment areas, keep surfaces sanitary
• Maintain restroom cleanliness, stock essentials like toilet paper, paper towels and soap
• On call for facility maintenance when needed

Additional Soft Skills:

• Can-do attitude
• Professionalism
• Well-rounded skills, helpful and knowledgable

Porters at Events

In event settings, the behind-the-scenes duties of a porter are crucial to keeping a venue clean and running smoothly. They work to ensures attendees are well-served and enjoy their time. In fact, good porter services can be that special touch that takes an event from well-planned and memorable to excellent and unforgettable.

Common Responsibilities:

• Monitor and maintain cleanliness of tables, seating and walkways
• Assist guests with facility related questions
• Ensure restrooms are well stocked and trash cans are not overflowing
• Tidies refreshment areas and ensures surfaces are sanitary

Additional Soft Skills:

• Positive attitude
• Connects well with people, personable
• Takes initiative
• Great customer service skills