Every Northmark Facility Services team member is background-checked before receiving access to any client building. Screening is only the first step. Team members are trained on your site's checklist and security procedures, assigned to specific accounts, and supervised through recurring QA walkthroughs. You know who is in your building, and they know what is expected of them.
Why background checks matter for commercial cleaning
Cleaning is one of the few services where outside workers routinely have unsupervised access to a building at night. They pass desks with confidential files, medication cabinets in clinics, cash handling areas in banks and personal belongings in offices. For many buyers, the cleaning crew is the vendor with the most access and the least visibility.
A background check does not make a person trustworthy, but it does screen out known risks before they are given a key. Combined with account assignment, access logs and supervision, it closes much of the gap between "a cleaning company" and "people I trust in my building."
How Northmark screens team members
Every candidate goes through a background check before being assigned to any client site. Screening is carried out in line with federal requirements. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Federal Trade Commission explains, employers that use a consumer reporting agency must give notice, get written permission and follow specific steps before taking adverse action based on a report. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also expects background information to be applied consistently and in ways related to the job. We follow both.
Some clients have additional requirements, such as fingerprint-based checks for certain financial or childcare settings, or their own site badging process. Tell us during onboarding and we will work through those steps before assigning staff.
Beyond the check: assignment, training and supervision
Account assignment
Team members are assigned to specific accounts rather than rotated randomly. Consistent assignment means the people in your building learn its layout, quirks and priorities, and you know who to expect. If assignments change, you are told.
Site training
Before working independently on your account, team members are walked through:
- Your written scope and site checklist
- Entry, alarm and lock-up procedures
- Restricted areas and confidentiality expectations
- Chemical handling and safety data sheet locations
- Who to call, and in what order, if something goes wrong
Supervision
Supervisors inspect work and verify procedures through scheduled QA walkthroughs. That oversight covers security behavior as well as cleaning quality. Our quality assurance program and security and access control pages describe both.
What this means for different buildings
| Building type | Why screened staff matters |
|---|---|
| Banks and credit unions | Proximity to cash handling areas, vault rooms and customer financial records |
| Medical offices and dental practices | Patient information and medication storage |
| Childcare centers and schools | Facilities serving children, even when cleaning happens after hours |
| Law, accounting and insurance offices | Confidential client files and documents |
| Multi-tenant buildings | One credential may open many tenant suites |
Screening and bonding work together
Screening reduces the chance of a problem. Bonding and insurance cover losses if one occurs anyway. Northmark is insured and bonded in addition to screening staff. Buyers who want to set requirements for any vendor can use our guide to janitorial background checks, which covers what to ask for and what is reasonable to expect.
What screening cannot do on its own
It is worth being honest about limits. A background check only reflects what is on record. It says nothing about whether someone will follow a lock-up checklist at 11 p.m. on a Friday. That is why screening is one layer among several. Assigned accounts mean the same people build familiarity with your building and accountability for it. Logged credentials mean every key and code is traceable to a person. Supervisor walkthroughs mean behavior is checked, not assumed. Clients who want to add their own controls, such as camera coverage of entries, badge-access reports or periodic unannounced checks, are welcome to, and we will work with them.
Working at Northmark
If you are interested in joining a team that takes this seriously, see our careers page. Background checks are part of our hiring process for every role with building access.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Northmark cleaners background-checked?
Yes. Every Northmark team member is background-checked before receiving access to a client building.
Can we require additional screening for our site?
Yes. Some clients require site-specific badging, fingerprinting or their own screening. We will complete those steps before assigning staff to your account.
Will the same people clean our building each time?
Team members are assigned to specific accounts. If an assignment changes, we tell you who will be in your building.
How do background checks relate to bonding?
Background checks are preventive. Bonding is protective, aimed at losses from dishonest acts. Northmark does both.
Sources
Published · Northmark Facility Services.