
Across the U.S., many companies are finding it tough to hire the workers they need. While some industries are bouncing back, others—like janitorial services—are still feeling the pressure from labor shortages that started during the pandemic. Let’s take a look at three important reasons why finding janitorial staff continues to be such a challenge.
Trend #1 – Workers Are Switching Jobs, Not Leaving the Market
The “Great Resignation” made headlines when tens of millions of people quit their jobs—over 50 million in 2022 and nearly 48 million the year before. By late 2023, more than 30 million workers had quit again. But what’s really going on? Many of these workers aren’t leaving the workforce entirely—they’re switching jobs. In fact, hiring has outpaced quitting since late 2020. For janitorial positions, this often means employees are leaving for roles in other industries that offer better pay or working conditions. So instead of calling it a resignation, it might be more accurate to call it a job migration.
Trend #2 – Fewer Immigrants Joining the Workforce
Immigration has traditionally been a major source of workers in janitorial and other service jobs. But from 2020 to 2021, only 247,000 people came to the U.S. through net international migration, a huge drop—down 76% from a high of over one million between 2015 and 2016. That’s a serious problem for janitorial services, where nearly 4 out of 10 workers are immigrants. Unless immigration numbers rise again, this labor shortage is likely to continue or even get worse.
Trend #3 – Fewer Women in the Workforce Than Before
Women make up a big part of the janitorial workforce—over 53%. But many women, especially mothers, left the workforce during the early months of the pandemic. At one point in 2020, the participation rate for mothers dropped from about 70% to 55%. Although more women have returned to work since then, the numbers still haven’t fully recovered to where they were before COVID-19. One major reason, cited by 27% of women surveyed, is caregiving responsibilities. This means the janitorial industry is missing a critical portion of its labor pool.
Smart Moves for Employers
Hiring janitorial workers in today’s market requires more than just posting a job ad. Companies need to be proactive. Offering better wages, flexible schedules, and a supportive work environment can go a long way in attracting and keeping employees. By understanding what’s driving these changes, businesses can make smarter decisions and stay ahead in a competitive labor market.