Laboratory Custodians: The Unsung Heroes of the Higher Educational Institutions

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Laboratory Custodians in Higher Education Institutions offering Criminology Program in City of Manila. Anchored on Role Theory (Biddle, 1986) and Social Exchange Theory (Thibaut and Kelley, 1959), the study aimed to document their daily routines, perceptions of value, challenges, recognition, experiences, and suggestions for improvement. This study draws on experiential research design. Ten Laboratory Custodians were purposely selected and interviewed using a validated semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed through Braun and Clarke's (2006) six phase thematic analysis. Five major themes emerged: (1) Daily lived experiences characterized by a structured cycle of preparation, active supervision, and closing procedures that shift from high-intensity operational support during regular semesters to strategic restoration during summer; (2) Perceptions on task and value as silent but essential facilitators and anchors of laboratory operations, distinct from general maintenance; (3) Specific challenges including resource constraints, equipment inventory issue, handling of materials and specialized forensic tools, and time pressure during consecutive classes, with coping mechanisms through rigorous organization, task prioritization and support networks; (4) Recognition and unrecognized where simple verbal appreciation and public acknowledgement significantly enhance motivation, while lack of visibility leads to feeling of being undervalued; and (5) Suggestions for improvement including regular training on safety and equipment handling, adequate personal protective equipment, fair workload distribution, automated inventory systems, and students accountability programs such as safety orientations and custodian for-a-day initiatives. The study concluded that Laboratory Custodians are indispensable, safety critical partners whose preventive works forms the operational backbone of laboratory functionality. This research contributes to institutional understanding of support staff experiences and highlights the need to integrate custodians more fully into the academic ecosystem. By centering their voices, the study offers a foundation for policies that enhance safety culture, staff well-being, and educational effectiveness. The study proposed a five-module Laboratory Operations and Safety Management Manual as output.