It’s a question that has been debated for years – does your workplace need a full-time cleaner? On the one hand, keeping the office clean is essential to maintaining a professional environment. However, on the other hand, many people argue that each employee’s responsibility is to keep their work area clean and tidy. So who’s right? Let’s take a closer look at both sides of the argument.
Full-time cleaners
The case for having a full-time cleaner at work is pretty straightforward. A clean office is a more pleasant and productive place to work in and sends a positive message to clients and customers. Having someone dedicated to keeping the office clean also means less dirt and grime build-up, which can lead to health problems.
The case against having a full-time cleaner is that it’s an unnecessary expense and that it’s the employee’s responsibility to keep their work area clean. Many people believe that if everyone took a little responsibility for keeping the office clean, there would be no need for a full-time cleaner.
Factors for considering full-time cleaner
- Size of the business – If you have a small business, having a full-time cleaner might not be necessary. However, if your business is large or growing, it might be worth considering hiring a full-time cleaner to help keep the office clean.
- Type of business – Some businesses are more likely to need a full-time cleaner than others. For example, companies dealing with food preparation or healthcare are likely to have stricter hygiene standards, so that a full-time cleaner would be more essential.
- Budget – Hiring a full-time cleaner is an additional expense for your business. You’ll need to weigh whether the benefits of having a cleaner outweigh the cost.
- Location – If your office is in a busy area, then more foot traffic and dirt might be brought into the building. In this case, it could be worth hiring a full-time cleaner to help keep the office clean.
- Availability of cleaners – In cities like London, where many European workers have left after Brexit, the availability of cleaners has decreased. This could make it more difficult (and expensive) to find a full-time cleaner for your business.
Pros and Cons in Brief
Pros:
- Cleaners can keep the business premises clean and tidy at all times
- May improve the image of the business
- It can help to maintain a safe and healthy environment for employees and customers
- Full-time cleaners generally have a complete set of professional equipment to clean different kinds of surfaces
Cons:
- It can be expensive to hire full-time cleaners
- It may not be necessary if the business already has a cleaning staff or if the owners are willing to clean themselves
- It may be disruptive to have cleaners working during business hours
Alternatives
If your workplace is considering hiring a full-time cleaner, another option to consider is a flexible cleaning contract. This type of contract allows the cleaner to work at different locations as needed, which can be more cost-effective than having a full-time cleaner on staff. A flexible cleaning contract can also be helpful if your workplace only needs a cleaner for special occasions, such as during the holiday season.
However, the alternative of having a flexible cleaning contract might fail because it would be difficult to find someone who is available on short notice and can travel to different locations.
When you can’t avoid full-time staff
If you are in industries like hospitality, a full-time cleaner is often an essential part of maintaining a professional environment. Customers and clients expect a clean and tidy space, and having someone dedicated to keeping the office clean means less chance of dirt and grime build-up. Customers will leave bad Google reviews, and this will impact your business.
Commercial kitchens are another workplace where a full-time cleaner is often essential. Kitchens must be kept clean for food safety reasons and to avoid attracting pests. A full-time cleaner can help ensure the kitchen is always clean and tidy.
Workplaces like hospitals, nurseries, GP clinics, gym and fitness centres, and beauty salons are also places where a full-time cleaner is often required. These workplaces must be clean for hygiene reasons and to create a pleasant environment for staff, patients, and clients.
The bottom line
The UK Government’s public advice notice on cleaning in non-healthcare settings states, “As a minimum, frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down three times a day, and one of these should be at the beginning or the end of the working day.”
There is no right or wrong answer regarding whether or not your workplace needs a full-time cleaner. It ultimately comes down to what makes sense for your specific business. If you decide that a full-time cleaner is suitable for your workplace, be sure to take the time to find a reputable and reliable cleaning company.
A good cleaning company will work with you to create a customised cleaning plan that meets the specific needs of your business.
Full-time cleaners can be essential to maintaining a clean and professional workplace. However, it’s ultimately up to each business to decide whether or not a full-time cleaner is right for them. There are various factors to consider when making this decision, such as the size of the workplace, the type of business, and the budget. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what will work best for your business.
Do you think your workplace needs a full-time cleaner? Please feel free to contact us at 020 7582 8111 or email us at cleanology@cleanology.com.
