Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 22nd February 2024 Issue no. 1102
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 International News
Products ‘Contributions of Cleaning Solution Residues to Indoor Organic Surface Films’: new report
While disinfectant solutions eliminate germs, they don't leave behind a truly bare surface. They deposit a thin film that doesn't get wiped up, even after giving the surface a good polish. Global professional hand hygiene market to grow by $2Bn to 2028
One third of Geneva's eateries do not meet hygiene norms
Closing toilet lid pre-flush does not reduce spread of viral particles, researchers find
The researchers say that the only meaningful way of reducing viral particles during the study, was through disinfection of the toilet, toilet water and nearby surfaces. Contract signed for cleaning of China’s high-speed trains
ACI Convention 'Duck Race' benefits The WASH Foundation
Survey finds Americans are strategic handwashers
UHS deploys cutting-edge robotic cleaning technology developed by CenoBots
This collaboration serves as a testament to the power of industry innovation and teamwork between Cenobots.
Hotel, restaurant and café staff can get access to all the professional cleaning equipment they need for less as part of the offer, which is aimed at making sure they have everything in place to conduct their first deep clean after the festive season. Dettol Pro Cleanse Liquid Hand Wash high-fives hand hygiene in commercial bathrooms
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Welcome to the Cleanzine
The press has certainly had all guns blazing this week for Total Clean’s head of operations Graham Petersen, hasn’t it? By golly – those publications couldn’t have worked any harder to convince readers he’s a cold, uncaring manager, effectively bullying a struggling, single-mum by sacking her for eating a leftover sandwich when she cleaned up after a meeting at a client’s premises - which could well have been destined for the bin anyway! It all came across a bit ‘David and Goliath’. There were pictures of him floating, suntanned, in an overseas pool, as if he was filthy rich and didn’t have a care in the world, along with pictures of sacked cleaner Gabriela’s colleagues, rallying for her reinstatement, and Gabriela too – understandably looking sorry for herself. Under the circumstances, it would be so easy to be swayed into thinking that sacking Gabriela was way over the top and that the issue should perhaps have been dealt with in a different way – perhaps by a disciplinary. I was feeling that way myself for a while and wondered whether there might be something more behind it, so did a bit of digging.
My conclusions? Established in 1988, TotalClean is a family-run business with many, very long-standing clients posting great reviews. It’s also an Corporate Membership of the British Institute of Cleaning Science but is not, according to the Cleaning & Support Services Association's website, a CSSA member. Gabriela was earning decent money, bearing in mind that the National Living Wage for over 23s set by the Government is £10.42/hr across the UK and she was on, according to the reports, £13/hr which is just 15p below the Living Wage foundation’s £13.15/hr London rating and way above £12/hour national rating.
I understand that in Gabriela’s case she’d previously been offered leftover food and felt that a precedent had been set. I get that. I also get that by taking the sandwich, she caused a loss of faith in her integrity and had breached her contract.
It’s a toughie, isn’t it? I daresay that every day, a cleaning contractor somewhere in the world is struggling with a decision on whether to sack, discipline or simply reprimand an employee who’s taken something they’d considered to be rubbish, rather than leave it where it was or bin it. Where do you draw the line though? Be lenient and worry that the practice will spread amongst other staff, with items taken becoming more valuable and potentially leading to the loss of the contract, or be tough, use any transgressions to set an example and ensure that all employees know not to remove anything at all from the premises unless given express permission to do so.
Where would you draw the line? Have you, as an employer, faced such a decision and how did you handle things? Please do let me know.
This Week's News
Genesis Biosciences joins consortium to tackle antimicrobial resistance
Under the leadership of Professor Jean-Yves Maillard of Cardiff University, the company will collaborate with the university and other European educational institutions on the research project.  Kerbside Costing Tool webinar will help councils tackle waste more effectively
 London needs a freight commissioner, says Logistics UK
Yet the needs of the sector are often relegated to an afterthought once decisions on construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and even waste management have been made. Eco-champion Forest Green Rovers FC cleans green with Delphis Eco
The collaboration is based on shared values and a mutual passion to put sustainability at the core of every decision made. Whether reducing emissions or measuring and lowering carbon footprint, it's all about doing business the right way and doing 'good'.   Mitie celebrates winners at inaugural Apprenticeship Awards
Winners were selected across six categories with each awarded a £100 voucher in recognition of their exceptional work. Mitie received over 180 award nominations from across the business. Jangro member PPS modernises last mile delivery with Descartes solution
By automating manual processes, the Descartes solution has allowed PPS' transport manager to save approximately 25 hours/week planning deliveries and routes. The solution also helped PPS gain 17 hours of productive time daily across its team of 17 drivers, or 1 hour/day/driver, which the company is devoting to more deliveries per day, staff training and other strategic imperatives. ISS renews full-service partnership agreement with Nordea
ISS has worked with Nordea since 1976. From 2012 onward, the company has delivered integrated facility management services. GMS Group wins Gloucestershire contract and works with Fidelis to provide cleaning services
GMS is supporting Colliers, the managing agent for Gloucester City Council, with cleaning and security services across Eastgate Shopping Centre, King's Walk Shopping Centre, St Oswald's Retail Park and King's Square, all in Gloucester. The Cleanzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The Cleanzine. If you would like to run a search of the The Cleanzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The Cleanzine:
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Our weekly updated Hospital Hygiene features current developments and product solutions cleaning and hygiene industry manufacturers are coming up with. Read More. Recent UK News
Andy Gregory becomes EcoTech MD
 BICSc and CSSA collaborate on innovative industry research Experts from The British Institute of Cleaning Science and the Cleaning & Support Services Association have joined forces to work in partnership on an innovative pioneering project - The Future of Cleaning initiative. An industry first, this groundbreaking collaboration between the two organisations has been launched in partnership with the University of Surrey and is aimed at exploring innovation in the cleaning industry. Hillcroft Park wins Loo of The Year Award 2023
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