As businesses in Canada open up and employees return to work, employees are finding they have returned to an office or workspace very different from the one they left behind. In recent years, many companies decreased their square footage to cut unnecessary overheads. This is all now being changed because of the risk of transmission of germs through forced proximity. The “new normal” greeting them now includes changes such as masks, plexiglass shields, social distancing markings, signs with instructions, separation that allows for six feet of distancing at all times, and perhaps, limited or a new kind of cafeteria experience.
Adding to these new adjustments, there’s going to be questions about the safety of the workplace environment. COVID has brought about a heightened focus and concern for hygiene that’s here to stay for the long term. A recent KPMP in Canada poll found that more than half (54 per cent) of Canadians are afraid to return to the workplace given just how contagious the COVID-19 virus is, and six in 10 will refuse to go back if they feel it’s not safe enough.
Those responsible for operations, including human resources, are going to need to work together with building property managers to find ways to give employees, customers, and visitors confidence that the facility is being professional maintained and cleaned in alignment with all the new regulations.
Let’s look at a few of the workplace changes since COVID, and specifically, how they relate to commercial cleaning and janitorial cleaning.
Workplace Cafeteria and Public Washroom Cleaning During COVID
Most people have a heightened awareness of cleanliness in washrooms and kitchens—for obvious reasons. Some may actually recall that during the SARS pandemic, one severe case was spread via a defective sanitation system. Even though the average computer keyboard has more germs than a toilet seat, the management of washroom cleaning is going to be paramount.
Governments and related health agencies have now all issued strict protocols for COVID cleaning for commercial spaces, including washrooms and kitchens. These come with recommendations for the use of approved disinfectants and effective cleaning methods against COVID.
Are Your Public Spaces Spotless as Well as Properly Disinfected?
In addition to what is required now by law, however, facility managers need to meet employee expectations for cleanliness and sanitation in terms of what people see and experience. These spaces have to look spotless as well as being properly cleaned and disinfected, that is, you don’t want to leave any doubt or questions about the safety measures being taken. For example, a messy countertop in a washroom may be germ-free, but it sends a signal that someone is not paying enough attention to what should be a rigorous cleaning schedule.
Recommendations for delivering peace of mind for returning employees include:
- Post and announce through social media the new protocols now in place so everyone can see them, including cleaning frequency. You might even wish to introduce the cleaning team.
- The mere presence of cleaning products in bathrooms is enough to calm many fears. Let employees know they’re for general use. An email is a great way to get the word out in addition to physical signage.
- One study found that a keyboard harbours around 8,900 bacteria and a mobile phone harbours 6,300 bacteria. Employees are aware of these kinds of statistics, so calm their fears by making them part of the “clean team”. Similar to above suggestion, set up stations for handwashing and hand sanitizing. CDC guidelines recommend providing disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces can be wiped down before each use. Surfaces considered hot spots for germs also include computer keyboards, phones and light switches.
- Cleaning teams used to come in after hours, never to be seen by office staff. If feasible, scheduling cleaning in common areas such as washrooms and cafeterias during office hours so employees can see for themselves that surfaces are being wiped down and washrooms attended to on a regular basis.
- Consider providing a virtual tour via video of the workplace to employees ahead of when the return in order to remove the element of unwanted surprise. The tour should highlight what changes have taken place in the office and the measures now being taken to keep the workplace safe and clean.
Cafeteria, Food Preparation and Eating Areas
The office cafeteria is definitely an area undergoing huge changes since COVID. Sharing snacks and food, or any kind of buffet meal is going to be definitely a “no no”. Instead, companies that keep their cafeteria in operation will likely adopt staggered lunch hours and fewer tables to create social distancing.
There are enhanced COVID-protocols for kitchen and cafeteria operations including rigorous checks on operations personnel. Similar to providing assurance regarding washroom hygiene, prudent facility managers will support these measures with signs explaining how safety is being maintained, and make sure these areas are kept as tidy and spotless as possible.
Look for more automated solutions, such as vending machines. Already, the global vending machine market is growing rapidly, as companies bring in more customized, ‘touchless” food machines that deliver high quality, fresh food choices.
Watch for More Touchless Technology
The future workplace already is seeing an increase in new contactless solutions integrated into commercial buildings— especially in buildings where people are particularly anxious about the threat contamination poses, such as health care facilities and schools.
As the months go by, we’ll be seeing more and more tools such as voice-controlled elevators, automatic doors, automatic lighting, automatic water fountains, even automatic dispensers for sugar and creamer at the coffee stand!
Training Standards and Certification
The changes in the workplace post COVID have definitely heightened standards for commercial cleaning and building maintenance. It’s well known now that improper cleaning methods or the wrong products can actually spread unwanted microorganisms.
The desire for high quality cleaning services is good news for professional commercial cleaning companies and janitorial services. Increasingly, property managers are asking which companies provide advanced training in disinfection, cleaning technologies, and the proper use of protective equipment. Kleenway leads the way in this regard, with its initial staff onboarding and on-going training in provincially-mandated Health & Safety certifications, product and equipment usage, cleaning and maintenance methodologies.
Property Managers are looking for commercial cleaning companies that offer quality management systems such as ISO programs that follow up through audits and checklists to ensure the best practices are in place and all protocols being followed. Again, look at what Kleenway offers in terms of its internal audit schedule, with three components for quality audits, management meetings, and onsite supervisory inspections.
Clearly, COVID-19 is changing the future of the workplace—changes that will continue long after all the lockdown measures are finally lifted. As more people return to work, stores, schools, and other commercial and institutional spaces, leaders will use the lessons from the past month to reimagine how workplace can now function—in creative and safe ways. Such leadership is going to come from property managers and workplace operations, and we all can be part of it.
Kleenway can assist with your transition with our high-quality cleaning services, rigorous training practices and government mandated Health & Safety certifications. Get In Touch with us today for a quote [links to page: https://ksintegrated.com/get-in-touch/.
