The responsibility for cleaning an office typically falls on different parties depending on the size of the office, the cleaning arrangements, and the type of office environment.

Here’s a breakdown of who is generally responsible…

Cleaning Staff (Professional Cleaning Service)

• Most Common for Larger Offices – In many businesses, especially those with larger or multiple offices, a professional cleaning company is hired to handle the cleaning. The cleaning staff is responsible for tasks like vacuuming, mopping, dusting, sanitizing restrooms, and taking out trash. They usually work on a set schedule (e.g., nightly, weekly).
• Scope of Responsibility – They are typically responsible for general cleaning tasks (e.g., trash removal, surface cleaning) and may also handle specialized tasks (e.g., carpet cleaning, window washing) if included in the service agreement.

Office Manager / Facility Manager

• Coordination & Oversight – The office manager or facility manager may be responsible for overseeing the cleaning operations, especially if it’s outsourced to a cleaning company. This includes ensuring the cleaning staff follows the schedule, meets quality standards, and addressing any issues like missed areas or additional cleaning needs.
• Supply Management – They may also be in charge of ordering and restocking cleaning supplies (e.g., toilet paper, soap, cleaning solutions).

Employees

• Basic Tidying – In smaller offices or coworking spaces, employees may take on some cleaning responsibilities to help maintain a tidy work environment. This could include…
  • Cleaning up their personal workspaces (e.g., wiping down desks, organizing papers).
  • Ensuring communal areas (like kitchens or coffee stations) are clean after use (e.g., wiping down counters, putting dishes away).
  • Taking out personal trash or recyclables.
• Shared Responsibility – In some cases, employees might rotate cleaning duties for things like emptying common area trash cans or cleaning up after lunch in the breakroom.

Building Maintenance Staff

• In Larger Complexes – For office buildings in commercial complexes, the building’s maintenance team may handle common area cleaning, such as hallways, elevators, bathrooms, and lobbies. They may not clean individual offices but are responsible for the shared spaces of the building.

Building Owner / Property Management

• External Responsibility – If the office is a rental or leased space, the property management or building owner may handle the cleaning of external areas (e.g., parking lots, building exterior) and ensure the common areas in the building are cleaned and maintained.

Who Does What? A Quick Breakdown

• Cleaning Company – General cleaning (dusting, vacuuming, trash removal, bathrooms).
• Office Manager/Facility Manager – Coordination, oversight, and supply management.
• Employees – Light tidying up (desks, personal areas, shared spaces like kitchenettes).
• Building Maintenance/Owner – Shared/common areas (lobby, exterior, hallways).

The responsibility for cleaning the office is typically a shared effort. Cleaning companies are often hired for regular, professional cleaning services, while employees and the office manager contribute to maintaining cleanliness in their specific areas.