The janitorial field can be quite rewarding for those who commit to the training involved. Many of the cleaning service providers operating in major metropolitan areas pay their employees quite well and have excellent benefits available. There is very little downtime for those individuals who need steady work. The job requires a certain amount of travel within the service area, and those who want to earn a good living must be able to perform a wide range of cleaning duties.Professional Building Cleaning ServicesOffice cleaning personnel usually work at night when there is little or no activity on the premises. The actual duties vary depending on the office environment and the desires of the client. In most cases, cleaning crews work in pairs or teams of three individuals. The duties involve vacuuming, dusting, wiping down of equipment such as telephones, Computer Monitors and keyboards, emptying of garbage, and air sanitizing. The contract may even call for periodic steam cleaning or dry chemical cleaning of the carpets. Some clients ask the cleaning service personnel to check for dust or grime buildup in the air conditioning/heating ducts. Offices with kitchenettes or dining areas are a prime breeding ground for bacteria, and these areas must also be sanitized thoroughly.Employee Bonding And LicensingMost contractors require their employees be bonded in order to satisfy customer requirements. This is a simple procedure that is paid for by the employer. Bonding of employees reassures the client that a background check has been performed on those who enter the office building for the purpose of performing janitorial services. The office may contain a good deal of expensive equipment, and clients want to know that the chances of anything being stolen is minimal.Cleaning services may require their employees to wear uniforms. These are provided by the contractor, usually at no cost to the field operator. The equipment provided includes soaps and surfactants, vacuum cleaners, brushes, wipes and towels, sanitizing agents, specialized hand tools, and rubber gloves. The employees will not be asked to work with dangerous or toxic chemicals. Transportation may be provided using company vehicles. If the janitorial staff is asked to provide their own transportation to and from the job sites, obtaining proper insurance on the vehicle for the purpose of commuting is generally left to the individual.Salary And BenefitsMost cleaning crews are paid on an hourly basis, with bonuses for overtime and for special clients. Most of the jobs are ongoing, with contracts in place for as long as the client remains at the designated property. Salaries usually begin about 10-15 percent over minimum wage for those with no prior experience. Raises are based on performance and customer feedback rather than length of employment.