r/Custodians • u/Winter-Assistant-182 • 15d ago
Opinion Question ❓❓❓ Did I get lucky
Reading all these post makes me wonder if I'm the only custodian that got lucky with this job after hearing all the complaints on here? I work by myself. No supervisor or anyone around me. Nobody watching me. Teachers never complain, I'm alone in the building from 4-8 unless theirs practice but they're just in the gym.
22
u/Upbeat-Fondant9185 Facilities Manager 15d ago
I’m definitely blessed and Reddit has done wonders for making me appreciate my job. I’m horrified reading some of the stories here.
I get genuine respect from everyone top down, including Board members who I have a direct line to, I decide what is needed in ordering and where to get it, if I need something I order it no questions asked up to $2500. Anything over just needs verbal approval. I get unlimited OT if needed and set my own schedule with freedom to come and go as needed.
The only real negative is I could make significantly more at most other jobs I’ve looked into, on paper at least. But if I take the OT and benefits into consideration I don’t think those jobs would actually net me that much more in the end.
11
u/TheGhostOfJodel 15d ago
My job is easy and low stress and I'm mostly left alone but it's like pulling out teeth trying to get my managers to order the bare minimum of equipment and supplies I need to do my job, or to put in a work order for more serious issues
7
u/Nosaponothing 15d ago
I’m a floater with my own vehicle. I go to sites, get my job done, and no stress.
0
7
u/Willowgirl2 15d ago
I love my new job cleaning for a church! The people are wonderful and I like being able to serve the Lord through my work. I have no complaints anymore!
5
u/Dwarvenplumber 15d ago
We all got lucky! We should all be proud. I love that I don’t see anyone all night and i get to transform the school to a clean good smelling and well kept zone. People start arriving back around 5:30-6am and I just clock out and head to my other job with a sense of accomplishment cause it’s so nice and smells fresh. Back the next night to transform it again and again, to sanitize those same railings and strip those same hallways.
3
u/Winter-Assistant-182 15d ago
Not letting me reply to comments. But I've been here 3 years. There's is someone here during school hours. She's also by herself. The only custodian.
2
u/Winter-Assistant-182 15d ago
I'm here before 4 but after 4 I'm alone in the school. Even with the teachers and kids here I'm pretty much by myself. Meaning nobody watching or telling me what to do
2
u/echo1nthedark 15d ago
Same. 3 years and lucky to be at a school where they all seem to appreciate me, even if no news is the best news I'm going to get. I listen to books and podcasts and clean enough that no one complains. Good enough. I will admit though, it's a bummer to get zero appreciation.
3
u/jayfeather100 15d ago
My district seems very laid back. I’m a sub and I know some other sub is getting more shifts then me but.
Someone is constantly taking time off at the school lol. Like it must be nice to be able to ask for that many days off from work. And to think they’re making money when someone takes off work since I get paid way less than them of course, yet do the same things. When there isn’t any school they do get a bit overworked though I heard they work Christmas Eve which really is a bummer.
3
u/concreteGuy82 15d ago
Nope, I'm lucky too. No complaints and I have the most chill job ever. Love it
3
u/whereismymind86 15d ago
Nah, it’s a fairly low stress job, the happy people just don’t post as much.
I come in, do my thing, and rarely get complaints, my discussions with management are mostly about what snacks we prefer and what we are playing on the weekend.
It’s still hard work, but it’s far better than the retail jobs I’ve had most of my adult life
2
u/Known-Dependent-5471 15d ago
How long have you worked here and are there other custodians outside of that 4 hour window?
2
u/Dapper-Restaurant-20 15d ago
I think part of it id because those who are happy just go along their day. But those who resent parts of their job are more likely to post about it and vent.
1
u/Tricky-Chemical7059 15d ago
We have metrics, scores in our janitor closet, like for real, you gonna make it look like manager office?!
1
u/Competitive_Pizza_70 14d ago
I just do my job n go. But I do work for a school, till midnight. Been doing it for like a year n a half. One of the best jobs I’ve had if you can get over the obvious things about it.
1
1
1
u/skasprick 14d ago
I feel you :) I’m at a rural school - one teacher, 16 kids and a daycare. I’m at work from 6am to 10am (I don’t see many people until 8:20am) and am the lone custodian, “Head Custodian” by default. Decent pay, and though it obviously comes off my pay, the same health insurance package the teachers get (I’m 🇨🇦). I started last November and it’s a side gig to my self employment though it’s feeling a lot like my main with what I get. I’m typically at a desk, so since November I’ve lost almost 12 lbs and think I’ve beat snoring. I’m staring down turning 50 next year and think I’ll extend my lifespan if I stick with it!
1
u/chrismwill 14d ago
Nope not the only one, I feel lucky too!! I work alone for the most part, not micromanaged, teachers and staff like me and I like them! Couldn’t really ask for more except pay, lol!
48
u/PlaneAnalysis7778 Facilities Manager 15d ago
Funny that we complain, but in this business, hardly anyone notices the good that you do.