Creating Lasting Impressions Through Cleaning The pandemic has elevated the importance of cleaning and cleaners
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t’s sometimes hard to remember what life was like before March 2020. Pre-lockdowns there were no masks, Zoom meetings were a rarity, the receptionist was not behind Plexiglass, no one in the office took your temperature, and we didn’t think twice about who cleaned our office. Did we ever question whether our desk had been sanitized or who cleaned our office? There is now a higher awareness of the importance of disinfecting and cleaning, and because of it, a greater appreciation of the wonderful folks who carry out that essential service. What for some, might have been an inconvenience if a cleaner was mopping a floor, is now a welcome sight.
Out of sight, out of mind Pre-pandemic, cleaners were asked to work behind the scenes, after everyone had left the office or on weekends. These days, it’s reassuring to see professional cleaners at work — and some facilities managers even request daytime cleaning. It provides peace of mind to customers and staff to know that efforts are being made to ensure there are no viruses lingering on surfaces within the building. It shows the employer cares, and helps the employees feel safe. A recent study by the Cleaning Coalition of America (CCA), showed that nearly half of the 1,600 survey participants, 43%, are still worried about returning to the office. The vast majority of respondents, 89.9%, believe workplace cleaning protocols are very or somewhat important When asked to rank their greatest impediment to returning to the office, 35% pointed to Covid infection rates and vaccination rates second, 17.4%. While cleaning practices weren’t a major priority for employees pre-Covid, 66% of office workers say they find it extremely important now. For 62% of employees, simply seeing sanitation professionals regularly at their workplace made them feel safer. Worryingly for employers, 39% say improper cleaning at their workplace might lead them to change jobs. BUILDINGBERMUDA2023
Cleaning for health There have been added benefits to the increased focus on cleaning due to Covid-19. More regular and improved cleaning efforts have also prevented other illnesses and lowered the risk for staff who suffer from asthma and allergies, by reducing other environmental hazards, such as dust, in the workplace. The risk of infection from surfaces may be relatively low, but it does still exist. And offices, shops, and other buildings benefit
from the regular wipe-down of telephones, elevators buttons, doorknobs, handrails, and cleaning and sanitizing of bathrooms. Professional commercial cleaning companies can advise their customers on the most efficient schedule to meet their unique needs while staying within their budgets. It’s a reality that upgrading cleaning can be cost-prohibitive for some organisations. The good news is that outsourcing is a proven method and there are several professional cleaning companies on the island that can provide highly experienced cleaning for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house — Atlantic Cleaning and Maintenance, Bermuda Elite Cleaners and Marshall’s Maintenance being among the finest. Building owners and employers should never skimp on cleaning services. It’s hard to put a price on the value of retaining employees and customers and helping them feel safe. Cleaning and cleaners have never been more important. It’s time to celebrate them.
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