Condemnation of cleaning cuts
August 1st 2009 WH Smith’s decision that retail staff take responsibility for cleaning stores as part of their general duties has been condemned by both the British Cleaning Council and the Cleaning and Support Services Association.
In a cost-cutting measure, the use of professional contract cleaners by the high-street chain has been reduced to once a week in some cases,with staff required to sweep floors and clean stores.
Despite opposition from both staff and the cleaning firms under contract with WH Smith, the strategy was recently implemented by chief executive Kate Swann.
Speaking on behalf of the CSSA and BCC, Andrew Large said that these measures were potentially unlawful and would undermine the drive to good hygiene at a time when this was of utmost importance.
“The position of cleaning workers is protected by TUPE when a cleaning contract transfers, including if it is brought in house.
“I will be seeking confirmation from WH Smith that TUPE was correctly applied in this case and that cleaners were not made redundant when they should have been employed by WH Smith.
“The use of a professional contract cleaning company is the best guarantee for retail outlets to make sure that their premises are clean and hygienic for staff and customers.
“By asking shop workers to clean stores,WH Smith is depriving itself of the skills and expertise of cleaning professionals.There is no guarantee that the shop workers will have the necessary skills or training to be able to maintain the stores to a satisfactory standard.
“The most effective way for organisations to acquire the proper general infection control practices and hygiene measures necessary to reduce transmission of the swine flu virus is through the knowledge and experience of cleaning professionals.
“As many thousands of us leaf through magazines in WH Smith every day, for WH Smith to be cutting back on this invaluable resource at this critical time is both dangerous and irresponsible, for their staff and their customers.” More articles from Cleaning Matters: | 
