The importance of valuing cleaning staff
Cleaning and hygiene rose the top of the agenda during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cleaning operatives were seen as vital to protect the health and wellbeing of others during this time. Their visibility gave confidence to returning office workers that their workspace was safe and hygienic. With this changing attitude to a previously invisible workforce, this blog looks at the importance of valuing cleaning staff.
Cleaning Industry background
Traditionally in the commercial cleaning industry it was common knowledge that low pay and low expectations of staff was widespread. If you then add poor training and ineffective equipment, the results are poor productivity and at best, second-rate daily office cleaning. In spite of this, low investment in staff is rife, with contractors locked into the low wage and low expectation business model.
Fair Pay – Good Productivity – Great Service
The direct opposite of this business model for commercial office cleaning services begins with fair pay for staff, which naturally leads to high expectations. The Living Wage is a great way to demonstrate fair pay to staff, and to recognise their important contribution.
The Living Wage Foundation rate is based on the cost of living and reviewed annually. It is currently £9.90 and the London Living Wage rate is £11.05. This compares with the national living wage, set by the government, which stands at £9.50.
Then add in a professional training regime and give staff the latest equipment to work with. The result is exactly as commercial cleaning services clients would wish - good productivity and great service. It is clearly in everybody’s interest that this approach is adopted.
Labour shortages
In today’s post Brexit, post lockdown employment climate, valuing cleaning staff has become even more important. Some European staff went home during lockdown. They have not returned and seem unlikely to do so in the future. In addition, many people have understandably re-evaluated their lives after being locked down, and this is clearly including many office cleaning staff. When they look around they find that they have more job alternatives open to them than before the lockdown. As a result it is only those who are happy in their work who are staying in the industry.
Employer of choice
A daily office cleaning provider needs to be an Employer of Choice to ensure it can recruit the staff its clients need. It needs to earn a reputation for paying a fair wage and showing genuine concern for staff wellbeing. Then to keep existing staff they need to be encouraged to develop through training and incentives. They also need to be provided with the latest equipment which will help them do the job of office cleaning faster and more effectively.
High expectations
An ethos that encourages staff to deliver the very best service, giving them the most modern equipment and the best consumables will give your commercial cleaning services contractor a high quality attitude that will penetrate every corner of their operation. The result for clients is of course excellent productivity and the best possible service.
Training
Recruiting and retaining the best clean staff is not only about pay. It’s also about providing training to safely deliver the highest standards of service using the best equipment available. Staff increasingly want to feel secure, valued and see a potential to advance their career.
The result for managers will be a highly motivated staff of professional cleaners who really care about their work. People who can be flexible when it is required. People who are responsive and resourceful.
TemcoUK – an Employer Of Choice
Our employees are the backbone of our business. We always offer clients a Living Wage cost option, as we believe it is the right thing to do. And we invest in people, technology and processes to ensure that our cleaning regimes reflect client requirements and building needs. This enables us to recruit and retain staff who care about their work and go above and beyond, after all they often become a part of the wider client FM team.
The benefits for clients is clear: great service, a well-trained and supported professional cleaning team who consistently deliver the highest standards of workplace cleaning and hygiene.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your cleaning contract hello@temco-services.co.uk or call 01895 520370
Recruiting and retaining office cleaning staff
One of the many effects of the pandemic is the impact on availability of staff within the UK workforce. Coupled with Brexit, which has limited the numbers of workers from the EU, worker shortage particularly in low-paid jobs is becoming a real concern for the UK. The commercial cleaning sector is no exception. This blog looks at the challenge of recruiting and retaining office cleaning staff.
Cleaning viewed as a low paid sector
The cleaning industry has historically been a low pay sector. Typically characterised with a vicious cycle of high levels of staff turnover and absenteeism leading to operational inefficiency, low standards and moral, and low productivity.
Greater demand for office cleaning and hygiene
At the same time the pandemic has led an increased demand for office cleaning and hygiene services. 2020 has highlighted the importance of cleaning to deliver COVID-safe workplaces to give confidence to returning workers.
The issue now for the industry is recruiting and retaining office cleaning staff.
Recruiting cleaning staff
Finding the right cleaning staff from the start is key. The best candidates often make the best long-term employees. Being clear from the initial job advert about the role and responsibilities, the hours and the expectations will attract a higher quality cleaner.
Retaining cleaning staff
High staff turnover rates on a cleaning contract leads to lack of stability, knowledge and continuity. It often has a negative effect on team morale with increased workloads and reduced productivity as new staff learn the role. More time is also required for staff right to work checks and training, all of which reduce the cleaning hours on site.
There are many factors which affect staff retention. Below we have highlighted four of the main actions to reduce cleaning staff turnover rates.
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Invest in quality training
Training covers a wide range of areas such as health and safety and how to use the chemicals and equipment. And of course, training in how to clean and sanitise effectively is particularly relevant.
Training ensures that cleaners understand exactly what standards are expected of them, and why it matters to the client. Taking time during sessions to make sure that everyone in the team understands this will lead to sense of ownership and pride.
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Invest in efficient machinery
The cleaning industry is undergoing big changes and there are many new and innovative tools and processes which significantly improve efficiency and productivity. This applies to equipment, software and chemicals.
An iMop for example works up to ten times faster than traditional mop and bucket, reducing the strain on the operative. Investing in efficient machinery means the cleaning teams can focus on hygiene and making office spaces safe and clean.
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Paying the Living Wage
Paying cleaning teams the Living Wage is not only a good thing to do, it makes business sense. Rewarding staff a fair wage increases morale, enthusiasm and engagement. It also gives people a sense of pride in their job which in turn reduces absenteeism and sickness. Now more than ever, payrates need to be attractive to both recruit and retain the right calibre of staff.
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Showing respect and improving communication
Making cleaning staff feel part of the team and showing respect is vital to promote loyalty and maintain good working relationships. Saying thank you to cleaners and acknowledging good work is a positive example of how a little can go a long way.
TemcoUK Facility Services – An employer of choice
Temco has a proven track record of professional competence and client retention. Our focus on cleaning excellence supports our aim of being an Employer of Choice.
We are committed to the provision of ongoing, effective employee training to create a quality driven and highly motivated workforce. We have access to the same labour market as our competitors, but we take the competitive edge through other factors. For example our expertise in getting the best from staff, training and developing them to deliver productivity significantly above average.
Temco is a committed Living wage employer. By paying the living wage and investing in our staff, embracing technology and innovation, having good systems and processes all makes for our strong business foundation that delivers a happy workforce, satisfied customers and long- lasting business relationships.
Working in an industry which is traditionally associated with low pay and inefficiency, we believe our success lies in how we recruit, retain, motivate, train and reward our staff. If you are thinking of switching your cleaning provider, please contact Temco today 01895 520370.