A nice start to an otherwise dreary Tuesday

I had the nicest start to my day today. But first, the background.

I work in a rather large building (for a rather large company). I sit, of course, in a cubicle (which, luckily, is also rather large). I don’t have much of a view of the outside without walking around the maze a bit, so I usually bring in flowers to brighten up my area. Unfortunately, they don’t have much of a view either so they tend to die off in spurts. I’m not the worlds most organized person, really, so as I catch a dead flower or two, I might remember to remove it from the vase.

Thursday, I knew I was going to be away from the office for several days so I took the vase to the sink to fill it with water, thinking that it was also a good time to pick out the lilies that I’d noticed were fading the other day. When I got to the sink, I realized they were already gone. All the flowers that had needed to be removed were gone. Furthermore, there was already a lot more water in the vase than should have been based on when I’d last remembered to add some. There could be only one answer: the phenomenal person who cleans my cube had taken it on herself to clean up my flowers for me. I was highly pleased, but not entirely surprised, because…

A few weeks ago, in my scatterbrainedness, I’d left my cellphone at work. When I got home, I knew exactly where I’d put it - the same place I put it every morning. So the next day I come to work, and it isn’t there. At first, I have this feeling of dread - someone’s stolen my cellphone. But an idea occurs to me, and I open my pencil drawer. Sure enough, there’s my phone, neatly tucked under a pad of Post-It notes, obscured from obvious view. I was relieved, and again, really pleased that the cleaning person had thought to do that for me.

Last week (before the flower incident) I left my medicine for my ear infection at work. It was sitting in front of my monitor where I’d remember to take it. Next day, I come in, and it’s not there. This time, it’s neatly tucked behind a bottle of dry-erase board cleaner - in easy view for me when I sat down, but not visible to a person walking past my cube. The cleaning person strikes again. So these two incidents, combined with the flower incident, I had to say thank you.

So I scribbled out a quick note. “To the person who cleans my cube, I just have to thank you for the great job that you do. You’re amazing!” and stuck it on my desk right over the garbage can - she couldn’t miss it.

I come in this morning to find: “My name is Margie. Thanks very much for your beautiful words. (Cleaning woman) Margie”

What a nice way to start my day!

Oh that’s so sweet!! Be sure to remember Margie when Christmas rolls around.

Our cleaning crew are very good here. One older gentleman particularly likes my office. I keep public radio on and have comfortable chairs. He’ll come in to listen to the Tavis Smiley show at night (on his lunch break) and while he’s here, he dusts all my books or just rest with his feet up. He’s told me if I ever change offices, I have to leave him a note so he can find me. :slight_smile:

Agreed–or you could remember her to whoever is in charge of the cleaning crew. As a person who has served in several janitorial positions over the years, I can say that a little thanks (especially when expressed to the boss) goes a long way, for those on that particular rung of the social ladder. They don’t get a heck of a lot.

Margie has most definitely made my Christmas list already, and I meant to mention that I do intend to find out how I can officially recognize her hard work. It’s tough though because the maintenance team is generally here after I’ve left. But now that I know her name, I can make sure someone else knows that she goes above and beyond :slight_smile:

Don’t wait until Christmas–with the turn over rate, she may not be there. If you appreciate her now, then SHOW her! First, call her boss, and tell him/her how great of a job she’s been doing. Second, a small token of appreciation is not out of order.