The Greening of Corporate America is both a top-down and bottom-up revolution. One cannot really exist without the other. We need the decision-makers in the administrative side to set the Green Agenda, and we need the workforce to make Green Implementation possible. So far, the mandates are coming in an irregular fashion, and there is little preparation of the people who actually bring the green to the workplace. These are the ubiquitous janitorial workers that we seldom see in our work-a-day world.
It is unfortunate that we see Green programs fall into place in such a helter-skelter process, but this is an evolving concept that is literally being invented on the fly. It may be helpful to demonstrate what makes a true Green Program from a janitorial viewpoint. Actually, every Green program in a Green School, Green Office, or Green Building has three basic components.
First, there is the initiation of a Green Agenda. The top-down process requires a mandate for the process to go forth.
Second, there is the implementation of Green Practices by the workforce who are trained in the new criteria of Green Clean techniques. This is the bottom-up program that takes the mandates into action.
Third, there is the installation of Green Products. This is a current transition phase for most janitorial and building maintenance firms. This is just one of the key components of a Green Program, and it is very short-sighted to think that Green products create a Green program.
It is the classic mistake is to think that simply installing Green Products is the equivalent of a Green Clean program. It is not. In fact, poorly trained workers will not understand the techniques and importance of changing their processes. We find that many workers revert to the old ways when it is more convenient, and we all know that people resist change. The easy solution, however, is rarely the best solution. New products also require new procedures. Ammonia free window cleaning lacks the familiar smell that says its working. Left to their own, workers almost always revert to old habits. They have been known to hide the "Good Stuff" to be used while the new products are left on the shelf. Misapplication results from applying too much of a Green product because it does not have the same effect as the caustic agents used before. This creates an inherent cost factor and a resistance to the Green program.
Training the workforce engages them in the reasons that Green Practices are necessary, shows them the positive affect on their own health, and demonstrates how to actually work in a Green office of Green building. Car manufacturers learned twenty years ago that is was discouraging to stick a person on the line to do one thing. They never saw the end product of their labors. Therefore, they moved workers around more, and got them to invest in the pride of their workmanship. This worked well for many similar task-oriented employees. Training workers to understand the value and benefits of Green Practices will have the same positive affect on the workers who bring the Green to our schools, offices, and building.
Green Clean certification of the workforce is a big part of the Green Practices agenda. Contracts with janitorial firms or in-house building maintenance should always include a Green Practices clause requiring firm and workers to use Green Products and Green Clean Certification for the worker.
