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Robotization of cleaning as a factor in reducing staff turnover in shopping malls and business centers
Replacing cleaning staff with robots is becoming one of the most effective solutions in combating staff turnover in cleaning services at shopping and entertainment centers (SECs) and business centers. Increased workloads, monotonous work, and lack of motivation lead to regular resignations among cleaning staff, which complicates the operation of commercial real estate. Against the backdrop of these challenges, more and more management companies are considering cleaning automation not only as a way to improve cleaning quality, but also as a tool to reduce the workload on staff and increase their loyalty.
Why staff turnover is a pressing issue in cleaning
Working in the cleaning industry is one of the least attractive jobs for job seekers. In shopping malls and business centers, the situation is exacerbated by:
Large areas;
Constant foot traffic;
High standards of cleanliness;
Inconvenient schedules, especially on weekends and evening shifts.
Cleaners often quit within 1–3 months of being hired. The reasons are obvious: low pay, high physical exertion, monotonous work. As a result, companies spend resources on constantly hiring, adapting, and training new employees, while the stability and quality of cleaning suffer.
Large areas;
Constant foot traffic;
High standards of cleanliness;
Inconvenient schedules, especially on weekends and evening shifts.
Cleaners often quit within 1–3 months of being hired. The reasons are obvious: low pay, high physical exertion, monotonous work. As a result, companies spend resources on constantly hiring, adapting, and training new employees, while the stability and quality of cleaning suffer.
Cleaning automation as a strategic solution
- The introduction of cleaning robots solves several problems that affect staff turnover:
- Replacing cleaners with robots reduces the amount of routine work, especially in large open areas.
- Automating cleaning ensures uninterrupted work according to schedule without the influence of the human factor.
- Reducing the workload on staff gives employees the opportunity to reallocate their efforts to more specific and responsible tasks, increasing job satisfaction.
How exactly do robots affect the work process?
In real-world conditions, robotization helps redistribute responsibilities between technology and people. For example:
In shopping malls, where two cleaners used to work, one robot now works efficiently, capable of cleaning floors throughout the entire shift without breaks. The freed-up employees now deal with heavily soiled areas that require a manual approach — corners, elevators, and restrooms. In the lobby of a business center, where tiles used to be washed by hand, a robot with a wet cleaning function now works, ensuring uniform cleanliness throughout the entire shift. And in the underground parking lot, where cleaning used to be done manually at night, a robot with night navigation now works, ensuring safety and consistent quality without human involvement.
Thus, technology takes over the heavy, repetitive, and physically exhausting part of the work. The staff, in turn, is engaged in control, local cleaning, and coordination of processes.
In real-world conditions, robotization helps redistribute responsibilities between technology and people. For example:
In shopping malls, where two cleaners used to work, one robot now works efficiently, capable of cleaning floors throughout the entire shift without breaks. The freed-up employees now deal with heavily soiled areas that require a manual approach — corners, elevators, and restrooms. In the lobby of a business center, where tiles used to be washed by hand, a robot with a wet cleaning function now works, ensuring uniform cleanliness throughout the entire shift. And in the underground parking lot, where cleaning used to be done manually at night, a robot with night navigation now works, ensuring safety and consistent quality without human involvement.
Thus, technology takes over the heavy, repetitive, and physically exhausting part of the work. The staff, in turn, is engaged in control, local cleaning, and coordination of processes.
Why this reduces staff turnover
1. No more routine physical exertion
The most common reason for resignations in cleaning is fatigue and overexertion. Robotization eliminates the need to wash dozens of square meters by hand every day, reducing stress and physical fatigue.
2. Increased motivation and respect for work
Employees who operate robots feel important: they work with technology, control processes, and acquire skills that are in demand in today's environment. This increases engagement and respect for the profession.
3. Simplified adaptation for new employees
New employees adapt more quickly when they know they are not being “worked to the bone.” The presence of robots on staff is perceived as a signal: the company cares about the comfort of its employees and strives for a modern work format.
4. Reduction of conflicts and overload
Even in the event of staff shortages, robots provide a basic level of cleaning, which avoids overtime, “covering shifts” for colleagues who have left, and burnout among remaining employees.
1. No more routine physical exertion
The most common reason for resignations in cleaning is fatigue and overexertion. Robotization eliminates the need to wash dozens of square meters by hand every day, reducing stress and physical fatigue.
2. Increased motivation and respect for work
Employees who operate robots feel important: they work with technology, control processes, and acquire skills that are in demand in today's environment. This increases engagement and respect for the profession.
3. Simplified adaptation for new employees
New employees adapt more quickly when they know they are not being “worked to the bone.” The presence of robots on staff is perceived as a signal: the company cares about the comfort of its employees and strives for a modern work format.
4. Reduction of conflicts and overload
Even in the event of staff shortages, robots provide a basic level of cleaning, which avoids overtime, “covering shifts” for colleagues who have left, and burnout among remaining employees.
Robots are not competitors, but partners at work
Cleaning robots do not replace employees. They redistribute the workload, freeing people from heavy physical labor. Instead of washing floors by hand, an employee:
Starts and monitors the robot's work;
Periodically check the results;
Perform local cleaning;
Monitor the technical condition of the equipment.
This format of work makes cleaning more technologically advanced and less exhausting, and therefore more attractive to staff.
Cleaning robots do not replace employees. They redistribute the workload, freeing people from heavy physical labor. Instead of washing floors by hand, an employee:
Starts and monitors the robot's work;
Periodically check the results;
Perform local cleaning;
Monitor the technical condition of the equipment.
This format of work makes cleaning more technologically advanced and less exhausting, and therefore more attractive to staff.
Economic effect of reducing turnover
An unstable workforce means constant expenses for:
Searching and interviewing;
Hiring and training;
Replacements and shift redistribution.
After implementing automation, these expenses are reduced. Moreover:
Downtime is reduced;
The length of time employees stay with the company increases;
The level of cleaning becomes stable and predictable;
The overall impression of tenants and visitors regarding the cleanliness of the premises improves.
This is especially important for shopping centers, where visual perception and hygiene directly affect customer loyalty.
An unstable workforce means constant expenses for:
Searching and interviewing;
Hiring and training;
Replacements and shift redistribution.
After implementing automation, these expenses are reduced. Moreover:
Downtime is reduced;
The length of time employees stay with the company increases;
The level of cleaning becomes stable and predictable;
The overall impression of tenants and visitors regarding the cleanliness of the premises improves.
This is especially important for shopping centers, where visual perception and hygiene directly affect customer loyalty.
How to implement cleaning automation with minimal risk
Step 1. Analysis of premises
An audit of the facility is carried out: areas suitable for robotic cleaning are identified — these are corridors, galleries, lobbies, passageways, and parking lots.
Step 2. Equipment selection
Models with the required functionality are selected: wet cleaning, night navigation, tablet control, integration with the schedule.
Step 3. Integration and training
Commissioning is carried out. Employees undergo basic training in working with the equipment and reconfiguring routes. If necessary, “restricted areas” or operating time restrictions are added.
Step 4. Monitoring and adjustment
During the first few weeks, the results are monitored and, if necessary, changes are made to the routes and schedule.
Step 1. Analysis of premises
An audit of the facility is carried out: areas suitable for robotic cleaning are identified — these are corridors, galleries, lobbies, passageways, and parking lots.
Step 2. Equipment selection
Models with the required functionality are selected: wet cleaning, night navigation, tablet control, integration with the schedule.
Step 3. Integration and training
Commissioning is carried out. Employees undergo basic training in working with the equipment and reconfiguring routes. If necessary, “restricted areas” or operating time restrictions are added.
Step 4. Monitoring and adjustment
During the first few weeks, the results are monitored and, if necessary, changes are made to the routes and schedule.
Conclusion: cleaning automation is the key to stability and sustainable development of personnel
The robotization of cleaning in shopping malls and business centers is not just a fashionable technological trend, but a necessary step towards more efficient, sustainable, and people-oriented management. In a situation where staff turnover among cleaning personnel remains critically high and cleanliness requirements are steadily increasing, the introduction of robots becomes a powerful tool for solving several problems at once.
First, replacing cleaners with robots significantly reduces the workload on staff and eliminates the main cause of turnover — heavy, monotonous, and physically exhausting work. By freeing people from the most tedious part of cleaning, employers have a chance to retain employees for longer, increase their motivation and engagement.
Secondly, the automation of cleaning creates new job roles. Cleaners become operators of smart technology: they don't just clean, they manage the process, check the machine's performance, and respond to unusual situations. This makes the profession more modern and attractive, especially for young people and job seekers with technical interests.
Thirdly, reducing the workload on staff directly affects the overall atmosphere in the team. Where there is no need to work overtime or “cover three shifts,” there is stability, respect for work, and a desire to stay on the team. The employer, in turn, gets a less stressed, more reliable, and more motivated workforce.
The robotization of cleaning in shopping malls and business centers is not just a fashionable technological trend, but a necessary step towards more efficient, sustainable, and people-oriented management. In a situation where staff turnover among cleaning personnel remains critically high and cleanliness requirements are steadily increasing, the introduction of robots becomes a powerful tool for solving several problems at once.
First, replacing cleaners with robots significantly reduces the workload on staff and eliminates the main cause of turnover — heavy, monotonous, and physically exhausting work. By freeing people from the most tedious part of cleaning, employers have a chance to retain employees for longer, increase their motivation and engagement.
Secondly, the automation of cleaning creates new job roles. Cleaners become operators of smart technology: they don't just clean, they manage the process, check the machine's performance, and respond to unusual situations. This makes the profession more modern and attractive, especially for young people and job seekers with technical interests.
Thirdly, reducing the workload on staff directly affects the overall atmosphere in the team. Where there is no need to work overtime or “cover three shifts,” there is stability, respect for work, and a desire to stay on the team. The employer, in turn, gets a less stressed, more reliable, and more motivated workforce.
