Cleaning staff face significant stress and physical health challenges in the workplace, finds survey

An overwhelming majority of cleaning staff face physical (90 per cent) and mental health (80 per cent) challenges as a result of their jobs, according to the findings of a new Tork survey.

Cleaning staff are essential to public health and the smooth operation of businesses, but global research from Tork, an Essity brand and a global leader in professional hygiene, reveals greater opportunities for facilities managers to support their team and improve staff wellbeing and business performance.

Nearly half (46 per cent) of cleaning staff surveyed say they regularly feel stressed due to work conditions. They cite that they often lack proper personal protective equipment, face exposure to harsh chemicals and feel their work is undervalued. Seven in 10 say they feel they are not supported by their employers when it comes to mental or physical wellbeing. This results in higher turnover of staff: 38 per cent have quit due to lack of recognition and burnout, factors unrelated to pay. Nearly one in four (24 per cent) also say that physical health challenges at work reduce the quality of their work.

Olivia Slater, Commercial Director at Essity Professional Hygiene said: “With the pace and pressure that facility managers and facility service companies work under, it can be difficult to see the full picture of what cleaning staff are experiencing day to day. The research shows that when teams feel unsupported, burnout follows quickly and the result can be costly turnover, staffing gaps and a drop in overall facility performance. The findings outline what employees value most and provide leaders of cleaning teams with a practical roadmap for strengthening employee wellbeing, boosting retention and maintaining consistently high standards across their sites.”

The research offers insight into what work experiences matter most to cleaning staff to help boost retention and employee well-being:

• Supportive leadership (29 per cent)
• Equal treatment and respect for all employees (39 per cent)
• Properly placed and accessible cleaning supplies (33 per cent), such as easy-to-use products and easy to handle refills
• A welcoming workplace culture (33 per cent)

“The research also surveyed washroom users and found that more than 50 per cent of people take action after a poor washroom experience,” Slater continued. “This includes leaving a venue, writing a negative online review or spending less money on food or drink to avoid needing the washroom. Poor public washroom experiences have a proven impact on business reputation and revenue, and cleaners play an essential role in delivering a washroom experience that is memorable in the right ways. Facility managers will benefit from adapting their operations to improve cleaning staff wellbeing. This can help increase employee retention, improve cleaning quality and guest user satisfaction.”

Tork says there are a number of steps that businesses can take including:

• Acknowledging and recognising the work of cleaning staff through visible appreciation, such as signage and recognition days including employee of the month programmes.
• Asking cleaning staff what they need day to day, and providing accessible, easy-to-use equipment whenever possible.
• Providing training and resources to ensure safety when using cleaning chemicals or equipment.
• Implementing supportive resources such as wellness programmes.

These findings are part of the Tork brand’s push for inclusive hygiene in the washroom, which includes identifying barriers that prevent public washrooms from meeting the needs of both cleaning staff and users and the resulting impact on businesses. The research surveyed 1,000 cleaning staff in 10 countries: US, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands and Poland. It explored attitudes toward hygiene in public washrooms.