Smart restroom technology isn’t just about improving efficiency — it’s a powerful tool for retaining janitorial staff in a competitive labor market. By streamlining tasks and enhancing job satisfaction, facility managers can create a more rewarding work environment while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and tenant satisfaction.

Facility managers are juggling more responsibilities than ever, from ensuring operational efficiency to meeting heightened hygiene expectations. High turnover rates in the janitorial sector only add to the pressure, with the industry experiencing a staggering 200-400% turnover rate during normal times.¹

These staffing challenges make it difficult to maintain consistent service levels, especially in areas like restrooms — spaces that significantly influence tenant and employee satisfaction. With janitorial teams stretched thin, facility managers must find innovative ways to meet rising expectations, optimize resources and improve staff retention.

Smart restroom technology offers a game-changing solution, turning routine maintenance into a streamlined, data-driven process. By providing real-time insights, it empowers facility managers to enhance cleanliness, boost efficiency and create a better working environment for their teams.

Benefits of Smart Restroom Management Systems for Janitorial Staff

Smart restroom technology provides value beyond basic maintenance. It addresses key challenges that can help facilities thrive in a competitive labor market by improving operational efficiency and creating a better environment for tenants and employees alike.

Here’s how:

Do More with Less
Most restroom maintenance and cleaning protocols are based on outdated and inefficient prescribed schedules, leading to poor visibility into restroom utilization rates, traffic patterns, conditions and supply inventory. While smart restroom technology like Onvation^® monitors, analyzes and measures this information through real-time data, enabling janitorial teams to focus on high-priority areas. This eliminates unnecessary tasks, allowing janitorial staff to be more strategic with their time and resources.

In fact, facilities that implement smart restroom solutions report a 90% reduction in time spent on routine supply checks, freeing up staff to focus on more impactful tasks.²

Reduce Complaints
Public restrooms consistently are one of the most highly trafficked and most complained about areas in any building. Complaints about cleanliness, empty dispensers or unpleasant odors can tarnish a facility’s reputation and disrupt operations. Smart technology helps facility managers stay ahead of these issues by providing real-time alerts on supply levels, restroom conditions and usage patterns per restroom.

This proactive approach means fewer work orders — resulting in less disruption and fewer complaints for a more seamless and pleasant experience for restroom users.

Survey data from Kimberly-Clark Professional shows that 75% of workers feel the condition of the washroom reflects the hygiene standards of the rest of the facility.²

Set Staff Up for Success
When all workers have clear expectations and have the tools to help them be successful, turnover rates are lower. With access to actionable data through smart technology janitorial staff can work more efficiently. Stocking high-traffic restrooms with supplies can be a full-time job for maintenance crews during peak times, taking away from cleaning up safety-hazards like spills in common areas.

Servicing decisions based on assumptions rather than data can result in wasted time and wasteful spending.

Improve Hygiene and Health
Since 2020, hygiene is top of mind for tenants and employees alike, transforming the way people think about restrooms. It’s made restroom disinfection a top priority for commercial spaces, creating an increase in the usage of products like paper towels and tissue.

Clean, well-stocked restrooms signal a commitment to health and safety. Smart solutions help facility managers maintain these high standards consistently, ensuring that restrooms always remain hygienic and fully stocked with essential supplies for all tenants to use.

Smart restroom technology doesn’t just improve day-to-day operations — it creates a ripple effect that enhances the overall workplace experience.

Empowering Janitorial Teams Through Smart Technology

While the operational benefits of smart restroom technology are clear, its impact on janitorial teams is equally transformative. One of the biggest challenges in retaining janitorial staff is the repetitive and often thankless nature of the work. Smart restroom technology like Onvation changes this dynamic, automating routine tasks and creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported.

How Onvation Helps:

• Eliminating Repetitive Tasks: Janitorial staff receive alerts when stock levels are low or when specific areas need attention, reducing unnecessary work and ensuring that their time is spent where it matters most.
• Creating Predictable Workflows: Data-driven insights from the dashboard help facility managers create efficient cleaning schedules based on actual usage patterns, giving janitorial staff better control over their workload, reducing stress and improving job satisfaction.
• Providing Ongoing Support: The Customer Success Manager ensures teams are well-prepared by assisting with onboarding, providing training to help staff adapt to the technology and offering ongoing support to address any questions or challenges.
• Optimizing Performance with Insights: Through monthly dashboard reviews, the Customer Success Manager collaborates with facility managers to evaluate app usage by janitorial teams, refining workflows and ensuring the technology meets their needs.
• Boosting Job Satisfaction: With fewer menial tasks and clear priorities, janitorial staff can focus on high-impact work, like maintaining cleanliness and reducing complaints. Tangible results from their efforts make them feel more valued and motivated.

By making their jobs more dynamic, rewarding and efficient, smart restroom technology fosters an environment where janitorial staff feel empowered — key factors in reducing turnover and building long-term loyalty.

Smart Technology in Action: Elevating Restroom Management at Accenture Tower

In the heart of Chicago, Accenture Tower stands as a beacon of modern office management. This 1.47 million-square-foot, LEED^® Gold-certified skyscraper houses a variety of tenants and sees heavy daily foot traffic across its 40 floors. Maintaining its reputation as a premier facility requires meticulous attention to cleanliness and hygiene — a task that falls to the property management team,  Transwestern Commercial Services Illinois, LLC.

Faced with rising tenant expectations and a janitorial team stretched thin by high turnover rates, the team turned to smart restroom technology to streamline operations.

Using a smart restroom solution like Onvation enabled real-time data on restroom conditions, allowing staff to prioritize high-traffic areas and reduce unnecessary maintenance tasks.

The impact was immediate. Restroom complaints decreased, operational efficiency improved and janitorial staff found their roles more fulfilling as they could focus on meaningful, results-driven tasks.

Technology as a Driver of Retention

As the labor market becomes more competitive and the remainder of the baby boomer generation retires, we’re going to see big changes in the employment market. Retaining top talent on all teams requires innovative solutions that address both operational efficiency and employee satisfaction. Smart restroom technology not only enhances the tenant experience but also empowers janitorial teams, creating a more rewarding and manageable work environment.

Companies who can adapt to this new reality and invest in their facilities (and employees) will better mitigate high turnover risks, improve performance and position their facilities as leaders in both hygiene and workplace culture.

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¹ IBISWorld, Inc. (2024, October). IBISWorld - industry market research, reports, and statistics. IBISWorld, Inc. https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/janitorial-services-industry/
² Based on analysis of current Onvation customers