MANY people take for granted the critical role that some employees play at the workplace.

Such workers include security officers, canteen staff, office attendants, groundsmen, janitors and others who are said to be at the bottom of the totem pole, perhaps because they are among those paid the least.

These individuals will tell you horror stories of being disrespected by those who consider themselves to be better than them.

The office attendant, for example, will tell you of “Miss Niceness”, the ‘stocious’ secretary who leaves the bathroom in a deplorable condition claiming it is the duty of the office attendant to flush the toilet after her. The office attendant is also oftentimes called in to dispose of peelings from mango and other fruits deposited in the container that is reserved for waste paper only.

She can also tell you of her experience with members of the Audit Department who want her to serve them Milo, coffee and tea during the coffee break and take their lunches to their desks at lunch time – all the while carrying out her other duties.

The office attendant may also find that she is called upon to run various errands for other staff, including purchasing stockings, paying utility bills and/or buying lotto tickets. She will also tell you about “Mrs X” who complains about any and everything: ‘the floor is not clean’, and when it is clean, ‘it is too clean’, so much so that she almost fell.

Workers at the canteen/cafeteria will tell you of their experience, particularly in a factory setting where the production workers feel that they have the right to state their grouses about the food in a boisterous manner. They may, on occasion, throw the food on the ground or in the faces of the attendants.

Security personnel, too, have their story. They can tell of how they are instructed to ensure that every staff member displays an identification card before entry at the gate but are nonetheless the subject of verbal abuse by staff members – include some managers – who refuse to display their identification cards.

Despite the disrespect to which they are often subjected, no workplace can do without people who do work others consider menial.

Imagine what the work premises would be like without the skilful hands of the groundsman and the conscientiousness of the janitor who keep the workspace in a condition conducive to productive work.

The women who clean our workstations on a daily basis must be appreciated for the yeoman service they provide because without them our place would be unwelcoming.

Kudos to Mrs Audrey Hinchcliffe, CEO of Manpower & Maintenance Services, who has transformed and professionalised the janitorial landscape, bringing dignity to the business of cleaning.

Respect is due to all janitors, office attendants, groundsmen, security officers and other such workers. Your work is appreciated even though it may not always seem that way.

I encourage you to keep the faith and give of your best at all times – regardless of the challenges and struggles you face daily.

Those of us who are served by these very important people, let us acknowledge their role and give them the respect that is due them. When was the last time we paused to say thank you? Do so today?

Wayne A Powell is a human resource professional. You can contact him at crisscounsellor@yahoo.com or www.crissocunselloronline.com.