STRESSED-out school cleaners are quitting due to excessive workloads with some doing five people's jobs.

A Glasgow City Council whistleblower has revealed that some cleaners are expected to cover up to five cleaning beats in just three hours - previously done by five people.

And the source backed-up union claims that the city’s schools are becoming dirtier.

Council chiefs have admitted that they are struggling to recruit cleaners, leaving staff to cover the gaps in the cleaning schedule.

Our source said: “When somebody leaves they’re not taking on more cleaners.

“If anyone is sick or leaves, other people get ‘pulled in’. The cover is supposed to last a few days but, in some cases, it has been over a year.

“People are leaving because it’s too stressful.

“When the council monitors come around and check the classes they are finding them half-cleaned and a lot of the time in a filthy state. When that happens, the cleaner gets into trouble and has to do it again.

“The reason it happens is that we’re being expected to do three or four times the amount of work in the same space of time that we used to be expected to do one beat.

“I have personally had to do up to five beats in one three-hour shift before. In that time, you’re expected to empty bins, clean classrooms, and clean the toilets.”

The source claimed that staff members are reluctant to approach bosses over the issues.

She added: “We’ve not got the time to do what we’re being asked. And we’re not being paid overtime if we stay later. Some of the rooms are being left in a disgraceful condition because there’s no time.

“I’ve seen janitors helping out even though they’re not supposed to. That’s how bad it has gotten.”

Glasgow City Council reiterated that recruitment for cleaners has been slow.

A spokeswoman said: “Our school cleaning staff carry out a valuable service in our schools and nurseries and take pride in being part of the team that keeps the school operating.

“Some vacant positions have taken a little longer than normal to fill but in those schools, we will utilise all resources that are available.”

Last week, Scotland’s largest trade union, Unison slammed cuts to cleaning budgets, which they claimed has affected 350 schools and nurseries throughout Glasgow.

Union steward, Ingrid Bain, claimed members had become stressed-out with increased workloads.

She added: “Our schools are becoming dirtier. This is not the fault of school cleaners. We need more staff.

“Cordia and Glasgow City Council have reduced the number of staff by hundreds in recent years by not keeping on temporary workers who were covering permanent vacancies.”

The union also accused the council of burying its head in the sand and called on politicians to spend a day working as a cleaner to see if they can handle the pressure.