Navigating the Latest Labor Laws and Their Impact on Your Facilities Budget
Team ProEthic • May 16, 2024
In a pivotal move on April 23, 2024, the US Department of Labor (DOL) shook up the landscape with its finalized rule, signaling a substantial shift in compensation thresholds for exempt employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA). With over four million employees slated to be affected by these changes, it's crucial for those overseeing or procuring commercial facilities services to be in the know.
The Current Landscape
Under the current regulations, employees must meet three criteria to qualify as exempt from overtime pay under the FLSA's executive, administrative, or professional exemptions:
- Fulfill specific white-collar job duties, a common practice among commercial facility service companies employing Field Leaders/Managers.
- Receive salary or fee-based compensation, rather than hourly wages.
- Earn at least $684 per week (approximately $35,568 annually), a threshold commonly met by Field Leaders/Managers in the commercial building services space, earning between $35k-$45k annually.
The DOL's Final Rule
Following the DOL's proposal for significant increases in compensation thresholds in August 2023, the final rule, released in April 2024, brings about two incremental changes:
- Effective July 1, 2024, the salary threshold rises to $844 per week ($43,888 annually) for white-collar exemptions. While adjustments will be necessary for many commercial cleaning companies, the impact is expected to be manageable given that many already meet or exceed this threshold.
- Come January 1, 2025, the threshold will increase to $1,128 weekly ($58,656 annually). The rule incorporates provisions for automatic updates every three years starting from July 1, 2027, based on current earnings data, with flexibility to adjust based on economic conditions.
The subsequent threshold adjustments will undeniably elevate the cost of operations for all commercial facility services companies.
What Lies Ahead
Despite the impending effective date of July 1, 2024, legal challenges are anticipated, and changes in the administration or congressional action could potentially influence the rule's implementation, mirroring past scenarios.
Planning for Commercial Facility Services Companies
In anticipation, professional facility services companies are proactively taking the following steps:
- Identifying exempt employees who may no longer qualify under the new thresholds.
- Estimating the additional costs associated with reclassification or salary adjustments.
- Determining appropriate actions for affected employees, including reclassification, salary adjustments, or work restructuring.
- Considering salary adjustments in stages or all at once, factoring in both the July 1 and January 1 thresholds.
- Preparing for potential payroll increases by evaluating possible cost-saving measures.
- Planning for organizational adjustments such as reinforcing work regulations and providing timekeeping training for reclassified employees.
- Remaining mindful of potentially stricter state-level regulations that could supersede federal standards.
In Conclusion
The new DOL rule brings about substantial changes, necessitating proactive planning and adaptation from all companies to ensure compliance and mitigate potential impacts on their operations. Additionally, expect service vendors to approach your company with requests for price increases to offset a portion of these costs.
In many commercial buildings, LVT, VCT and tile are treated as interchangeable hard floors. They are often cleaned on the same schedule , with the same tools and chemicals, regardless of how each surface actually behaves under foot traffic. Over time, that assumption shows up as uneven wear, premature finish failure and floors that never seem to hold their appearance. Foot traffic does not affect all hard floors the same way. Each material responds differently to abrasive soil, cleaning frequency and the methods used to maintain it. Why Foot Traffic Matters More Than Frequency Alone Fine dust and grit are a constant presence in Phoenix-area buildings. Abrasive soil is carried in through entrances, corridors, elevators and common pathways, then ground into floor surfaces hundreds or thousands of times per day. Cleaning frequency helps, but only when the cleaning method aligns with how the floor material reacts to traffic. A floor can be cleaned daily and still wear out early if the approach does not match the material’s vulnerabilities. How LVT Responds to Foot Traffic and Cleaning Luxury vinyl tile is valued for its appearance and durability, but its performance depends heavily on the integrity of its wear layer. Under consistent foot traffic, especially in main walk paths, fine grit causes micro-scratching that gradually dulls the surface of LVT. Aggressive cleaning accelerates this problem. Excessive scrubbing, improper pads or harsh chemicals can strip protective coatings and thin the wear layer faster than traffic alone. Once that surface is compromised, LVT often shows lane wear and discoloration that cannot be corrected through routine cleaning. LVT performs best when cleaning focuses on removing abrasive soil gently and consistently rather than relying on force. Over-cleaning can be just as damaging as under-cleaning, particularly in high-traffic zones. How VCT Responds to Foot Traffic and Cleaning VCT behaves differently because it relies on floor finish for both protection and appearance. Foot traffic does not damage the tile itself as quickly as it erodes the finish layer on top. High-traffic areas like corridors, restrooms and elevator lobbies lose finish faster, which leads to dull spots, uneven gloss and discoloration. Daily cleaning removes soil, but it also removes finish over time, especially when the wrong pads or chemicals are used. The key distinction with VCT is that cleaning and finish maintenance are inseparable. A schedule that focuses only on soil removal without accounting for finish wear often results in frequent strip-and-wax cycles. Those cycles increase labor costs and shorten the lifespan of the tile. Effective VCT care balances cleaning frequency with finish preservation, targeting traffic-heavy zones before appearance issues spread. How Tile Responds to Foot Traffic and Cleaning Tile is often considered the most durable of the three, but its weaknesses are less obvious. The tile surface itself holds up well, while grout lines and textured finishes quietly accumulate soil. Foot traffic pushes fine debris into grout, where daily mopping rarely reaches. Over time, this creates darkened grout lines and a floor that looks dirty even when it is cleaned regularly. In textured or slip-resistant tile, soil becomes embedded in surface contours, further reducing appearance and increasing cleaning difficulty. Tile also presents safety considerations. As grout and texture load up with soil, floors can become slick or uneven underfoot. Cleaning schedules that rely solely on surface mopping fail to address this buildup, especially in high-traffic areas. Tile requires periodic deep cleaning focused on grout and texture, not just the visible surface. Why One Cleaning Schedule Fails in Mixed-Floor Buildings Buildings with multiple flooring types often apply a single cleaning routine across all surfaces. This approach creates predictable problems. LVT shows wear from overly aggressive methods, VCT loses finish unevenly and tile develops embedded soil that never fully comes out. Traffic patterns compound the issue. Entryways, corridors and shared spaces experience far more stress than private offices, yet they are often cleaned the same way, on the same schedule. The result is higher restoration costs and floors that age faster than expected. Zoning floor care by both material and traffic volume helps prevent these outcomes. Aligning Cleaning Methods With Material Performance Effective floor care in Phoenix is less about cleaning more often and more about cleaning correctly. Matching tools, chemicals and frequency to each flooring type reduces wear while maintaining appearance. For LVT, that means gentle soil removal and finish protection. For VCT, it means managing finish loss before it becomes visible damage. For tile, it means addressing grout and texture before buildup becomes permanent. When cleaning programs are adjusted to how floors actually respond to use, facilities see longer floor life, more consistent appearance and fewer disruptive restoration projects. Get professional recommendations on your property’s floor cleaning and maintenance practices by calling (480) 725-8912 to request a consultation with ProEthic Building Services.
Office odor complaints often surface in buildings that otherwise appear clean. Floors are mopped, trash is emptied and restrooms are serviced, yet unpleasant smells linger or keep returning. In most cases, the issue is not a lack of cleaning, but where and how cleaning is being performed. Odors are typically the result of residue, moisture or organic material. Some of the sources are simply not addressed by routine cleaning. In other cases, a cleaner’s approach might be responsible for lingering or the reappearance of odors. Why Odors Linger in “Clean” Office Spaces Standard office cleaning focuses on visible surfaces and high-priority tasks. While that keeps spaces looking presentable, it does not always remove the sources that generate odors. Air circulation can move smells from one area to another, making the origin harder to identify. Air fresheners and deodorizing products may temporarily mask the issue, but they do not resolve the underlying cause. Without targeted cleaning, odors resurface and complaints continue. Breakrooms and Shared Kitchens Breakrooms are one of the most common sources of office odors. Food residue builds up on appliance exteriors, handles and control panels. Spills around refrigerators, microwaves and coffee stations often reach base areas and flooring where they are not addressed during routine cleaning. Trash containers contribute as well. Even when liners are changed regularly, the containers themselves can absorb odors over time. Floors and grout near trash areas trap moisture and organic material, creating smells that linger long after the trash is removed. Consistent detail cleaning in breakrooms is essential. Wipe-downs alone are rarely enough to prevent odor buildup in these spaces. Restrooms Beyond the Fixtures Restrooms can smell clean early in the day and develop odors later as usage increases. This usually points to moisture and residue in areas beyond sinks and toilets. Floors, partitions and dispenser exteriors often hold onto moisture and organic material. Grout lines and base areas are especially vulnerable. Without sufficient attention, these surfaces become odor sources that are difficult to eliminate with surface-level cleaning. High-use restrooms may also require daytime attention. Odors that develop midday are rarely resolved by nighttime cleaning alone. When Cleaning Practices Spread Odors Instead of Removing Them In some cases, restroom odors persist or worsen after mopping due to how cleaning is performed rather than what products are used. When mop water is not changed frequently enough, or when the same mop and solution are used across multiple restrooms or adjacent areas, contaminants are diluted and redistributed instead of removed. If water is reused, odor-causing compounds are spread across grout, base areas and nearby walkways. As those surfaces dry, odors become more noticeable rather than less. Well-managed commercial cleaning programs control this risk by separating restroom tools (like mop heads) from common areas and refreshing cleaning solutions frequently. When those controls are missing or skipped for the sake of expediency, odors can linger even in facilities that are cleaned on a regular schedule. Soft Surfaces and Flooring Carpets, mats and upholstered furniture absorb odors over time. Foot traffic carries in oils, moisture and debris that settle into fibers. Vacuuming removes surface debris, but it does not address embedded material that contributes to lingering smells. Fabric partitions and seating can also trap odors, especially in offices with food consumption or heavy use. Without periodic deep cleaning, these soft surfaces continue to release odors back into the space. Recognizing when routine cleaning is no longer sufficient helps prevent odor problems from becoming permanent. Trash Areas and Waste Handling Centralized trash rooms and waste collection areas can affect nearby offices if not properly maintained. Odors migrate through corridors and shared spaces, often leading occupants to assume the issue is local to their area. Inconsistent liner changes, unclean containers and infrequent floor cleaning all contribute. Addressing waste handling as part of a comprehensive cleaning plan helps prevent odors from spreading beyond their point of origin. Odors as Indicators of Cleaning Gaps Persistent odors are often an early sign that certain tasks are being missed or performed too infrequently. They point to patterns, not one-time issues. Recurring smells in the same areas indicate where cleaning programs need adjustment. Addressing these gaps early prevents larger problems and reduces occupant complaints. Addressing Phoenix Office Odors Through Better Cleaning Practices Effective odor control starts with identifying sources, not covering them up. Targeted cleaning, adjusted frequencies and attention to detail in high-risk areas make a measurable difference for offices in Phoenix. Coordinating nightly cleaning with daytime porter support helps manage odors in high-use spaces. Professional assessments can uncover hidden contributors that routine cleaning overlooks. Get professional recommendations on eliminating persistent office odors through improved cleaning and maintenance by calling (480) 725-8912 to request a consultation with ProEthic Building Services.
