REGULAR
Supporting cleaners’ mental health
Businesses have a big part to play in supporting the mental health of staff, says David Garcia, Deputy Chair of the British Cleaning Council (BCC).
I saw the results of a survey of employers last month in which the majority – 57% – said mental health was their greatest concern regarding their employees.
The survey was specifically about the impact of remote and hybrid working on staff
but, all the same, it really highlighted how important the issue of mental health is becoming in the workplace.
Of course, the same can be said in the cleaning and hygiene sector. Many staff in our industry suffered mentally during the COVID-19 pandemic, working on the frontline to keep others safe and well, which led to anxiety and stress. That was rapidly followed by the cost-of-living crisis, resulting in more worry and concern over the soaring costs of energy, food and other essentials.
Even without these two crises, many cleaning staff perform challenging roles.
Most cleaning staff do not have cushy desk jobs. Whether you’re a housekeeper, window cleaner or domestic cleaner, you do a physical job, often at a high speed of knots. There is the risk of slip and trip injuries, manual handling injuries, injuries from repetitive tasks and health conditions caused by repeated exposure to chemicals.
Cleaning staff also face specific challenges when it comes to mental health. Many colleagues work remotely, at unsocial hours or are lone workers, any of which can take a toll on mental health.
While we in the industry know that staff are skilled and professional, performing a vital role protecting the safety and wellbeing of others and the health and wealth of the nation, this is not always recognised by society at large. This lack of respect or recognition can also have adverse effects.
These problems can be compounded by the sorts of issues we all face, such as grief and physical ill health. These factors can cause a wide range of issues, from low mood and stress to severe depression and debilitating anxiety.
24 | TOMORROW'S CLEANING
The business sector as a whole is starting to recognise and accept the need to support staff in this area. Of UK companies surveyed, 60% said they believed the importance of providing support for mental health for their workforce had increased.
Companies can offer a wide range of support. For example, benefits such as private medical insurance can include employee assistance programmes, talking therapies or inpatient stays. Other help may also include grief counselling and addiction support. Understanding and support from managers and colleagues also goes a long way.
In the cleaning and hygiene sector, the message is being heard loud and clear. BCC member the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) highlighted the issue of mental health throughout September, with the aim of helping break the remaining stigma around the issue.
Among other things, it highlighted the five steps to mental wellbeing recommended by the NHS, such as connecting with other people, being physically active, learning new skills, giving to others and paying attention to the present moment.
Improving mental health support and awareness for members has been one of BCC member the Textile Services Association’s (TSA) priorities in recent years. The TSA’s initiatives in this area include the creation of a Wellbeing Hub, an online resource containing training and support resources tailored to the specific needs of the laundry industry, the launch of a mental health awareness course for managers and a mental health first aid training course.
At one time, mental health was a taboo subject which people were ashamed to discuss. Though there is still some way to go, we do seem to be moving past that to a place where those in need can ask for support and receive it, and business has an important role to play in that shift.
http://www.eida.org/membership
www.britishcleaningcouncil.org twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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