Cleaning at Top of Return to Work Priorities

As COVID-19 case count numbers continue to decline across California counties, vaccinated and unvaccinated workers have reiterated that frequent high-quality office cleaning policies are at the top of their priority list for returning to the workplace.

Cleaning Still a Priority for Returning to Work

Reported COVID-19 case count numbers have experienced a sharp decline across California counties since its peak of more than 300 daily cases per 100K people two weeks ago.

However, the daily case count numbers and predicted trends remain well above those reported at the beginning of December 2021.

 

These trends combined with fear and fatigue have resulted in a renewed workforce emphasis on workplace cleanliness and hygiene.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Cleaning Coalition of American, of the 1,800 U.S. workers surveyed – 1,099 vaccinated and 501 unvaccinated:

• 93.4% of vaccinated respondents and 82.2% of unvaccinated respondents cited workplace cleaning protocols as important.
• 43.0% of respondents believe that returning to the workplace could pose a risk to their health and safety.
• 38.3% of respondents would consider changing their jobs if the workplace was not cleaned frequently.
• 89.9% of respondents believe workplace cleaning protocols are very or somewhat important.
• 77.2% of respondents believe the workplace should be cleaned at least once a day.
• 62.1% of respondents believe that seeing professional cleaners at the workplace would make them feel safer and more protected from contracting COVID-19.
• 47.1% of respondents cite regular sanitizing of shared spaces as the most important step employers can take to make workers feel safe, and;
• 47.5% of respondents have asked their employer about their company's cleaning protocols.

Source:

• Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Workers Put Cleaning at Top of Return-to-Work Priorities, New Survey Finds

The increased workforce focus on workplace cleaning methods and infection prevention protocols will have immediate and long-term ramifications on business operations and success as current and prospective employees assess employer commitments to occupant health and wellness.

According to Josh Feinberg, President of Cleaning Coalition of America;

As employees return to the workplace, it is more critical than ever that businesses rethink their cleaning best practices and adopt a more holistic view of safety that prioritizes worker well-being.

Both current and prospective employees need to know that their employer will not sacrifice worker health for an improved bottom line.

Survey: Cleaning Still Prioritized For Returning To Work

 

Cleaning for Health and Workforce Wellness

Modern office workers want to see people cleaning and know that their methods are simultaneously effective, safe, sustainable, and environmentally conscious.

To accomplish this, businesses are advised to:

• Clean occupied areas of a facility daily with a commercial-grade soap-based detergent applied with a microfiber towel or mop head.
• Target sanitization efforts on documented high-touch surfaces throughout the day with an EPA-registered disinfectant--preferably one with an active ingredient of Citric Acid or Hydrogen Peroxide.
• Deep clean weekly and sanitize with an electrostatic sanitization appliance to ensure maximum efficacy.
• Keep restrooms spotless and fully stocked with soap and paper products to encourage handwashing compliance.
• Only increase cleaning and sanitization frequencies if widespread community pathogen transmission is reported.
• Avoid over-applying corrosive disinfectants.
• Encourage regular high-quality occupant handwashing habits.
• Discourage workers from coming to the office if they feel sick or are exhibiting physical symptoms of illness.
• Increase mechanical airflow through the HVAC system, and;
• Seriously consider upgrading your HVAC filtration system to include a minimum MERV-13 filter and UV-C disinfectant lamp.

 

Takeaway

As COVID-19 cases ebb and flow throughout the year and return to work policies go into effect, current and prospective office workers closely examine workplace commitments to health, safety, and sustainability as a gauge for quality employment.

At a time when skilled labor shortages are headline news, businesses who wish to remain competitive are advised to upgrade cleaning tools, training, methods and renew their commitments to protecting their workforce and customers.

Implementing these processes, training requirements, and hiring policies may well be cost-prohibitive for many organizations still reeling from a struggling economy and prolonged workplace closures.

Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and sanitization services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.

If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!

In Bakersfield, CA, call (661) 437-3253

In Fresno, CA, call (559) 206-1059

In Valencia, CA, or Santa Clarita, CA, call (661) 437-3253

In Palmdale, CA or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756