Taking care of business

The health, safety and wellbeing of any workforce should always be paramount. Although a career in cleaning does not involve a level of risk equivalent to heavy industry, cleaning operatives are far from immune to workplace injuries or long term illness caused by work-related issues.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, 1.3 million people in the UK suffer from a work-related illness, with an estimated loss of £14.1 billion to business through injuries and ill health caused by working conditions. However, according to Group CEO at Cleanology, Dominic Ponniah, looking after the welfare of employees leads to better staff retention and more satisfied customers. “Staff welfare is the key to a successful contract. A happy and healthy workforce is a productive workforce.” 

Opportunity to progress 

Cleanology employs over 400 people. Half of the company’s area managers – including the operations director – have worked their way up through the company and, along with a robust set of financial and inspirational rewards, the opportunity to progress is a key ingredient in the company’s strategy.

In practice, this begins with training, which is strongly linked to health and safety. With teams working on multiple sites, management cannot be there every day to oversee, so Cleanology carries out office-based, in-depth theory training, followed by practical, on-site training once they begin. Some managers arrive with BICSc training standards, while those who do not, are encouraged to work towards them.

Ponniah said: “Undertaking external training adds credibility, and a formal qualification really helps staff to feel valued and take extra pride in their work. We have found that people tend to stay longer because they feel more emotionally connected to the business and their specific role and responsibilities within it.”

For clients, this translates into a more reliable, streamlined service. “Cleaning operatives are invited into the heart of a clients’ infrastructure. Of course, they like to see familiar faces – nothing is likely to unsettle them more than a high turnover of people. Also, every site is unique; each member of our team must learn the systems and idiosyncrasies, so it helps to maintain a reliable team.”

Explain the 'why'

Ponniah added: “We find that explaining why health and safety is so important produces much better results than just giving instructions. Health & safety is taken very seriously. We have COSHH knowledge in-house, have an enviable RIDDOR accident record and have had no H&S claims since we were founded.”

Offices are the most straightforward sites to work at, but are not without risk. Day cleaners require a different level of training to accommodate the risks associated with daytime footfall around the building, while public venues such as ice rinks, art galleries and private members’ clubs, carry far greater risks, due to the increased footfall. 

Ponniah said: “It is our job to make sure that staff are safe at work. Also, staff who aren’t fully engaged, whether through health issues, stress or unhappiness at work, are more likely to make errors or to be less productive; it is counterintuitive not to take every step to look after them.”

Maintain morale

Regular appraisals and recognition help to maintain morale. Staff welfare ranges from the practical, such as a free counselling service, to discretionary perks such as birthday cakes and bubbles to share with the team and an extra ‘holiday present’ so that staff can take a day off on their birthday. Staff come together for the annual party, while the company away day has included destinations such as Barcelona and Cannes. Outstanding members of staff are rewarded quarterly with a prize of £100 while, once a year, the Cleaning Oscars award teams across a range of categories.  

Ponniah describes the company’s ethos as inclusive, concluding: “We encourage working smarter not harder and listen to everyone’s ideas via our suggestion forum and annual company-wide meeting. The best ideas come from those inside the business and we are always ready to adapt to change.”