Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 12th June 2025 Issue no. 1166
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How automation is reinventing jobs in the cleaning sector
By Sylvain Rottier, VP & general manager, Tennant Company EMEA
The labour challenge…
The cleaning industry is facing a workforce crisis that threatens its operational foundations. According to the European Labour Authority's 2024 report which analysed 436 occupations across 29 countries, 84% are experiencing labour shortages, with cleaning roles consistently among the hardest hit..
With approximately 1.47 million people employed in the sector, which represent roughly 5% of the UK's entire workforce, these professionals are essential for maintaining public health standards across multiple industries. Yet severe staffing shortages have become endemic, creating operational challenges that impact the broader economy
Retail, logistics and facilities management have been particularly affected. Most alarming are the annual turnover rates reaching a staggering 200-400% across various cleaning roles. This revolving door of personnel creates a relentless onboarding cycle that drains resources, time, and productivity.
The business impact…
These staffing shortages represent more than a temporary inconvenience, they pose a threat to companies' ability to fulfill contractual obligations and maintain service quality. The ripple effects create compounding problems that can undermine the viability of cleaning businesses.
Employee burnout can intensify as teams cover more ground with fewer resources. In turn, service quality can suffer. The cost of constant recruitment and training then continues to rise, placing further strain on margins in an already cost-sensitive industry.
As a result of these challenges, companies may be forced to decline new contracts due to workforce limitations; stifling growth.
This creates a vicious cycle: burnout leads to higher turnover, which increases pressure on remaining staff, resulting in further demoralisation and additional departures.
The technological lifeline…
Forward-thinking companies are turning to technology to temper these workforce challenges. The implementation of autonomous cleaning technology, as one example, offers a viable path to support and empower human workers, creating a sustainable operational model for the long term.
Correctly implemented automation helps reduce dependency on manual labour for repetitive tasks, allowing human workers to tackle more specialised, value-added activities. Moreover, IoT solutions facilitate real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making, optimising resource allocation and improving efficiency across cleaning operations.
The potential benefits extend beyond labour savings: Energy-efficient equipment, water-saving innovations and reduced chemical usage simultaneously address environmental concerns while tackling workforce challenges.
A technology-enhanced workforce…
Automation alone is not enough. The long-term solution lies in building a stronger, more resilient workforce. This requires rethinking recruitment, career development and the role of technology in staff engagement. Creating clear career advancement paths can help combat the persistent ‘dead-end job’ perception that surrounds the industry.
By establishing visible progression opportunities enhanced by new technologies - including upskilling in automation and data tools - companies can attract a workforce seeking long-term careers rather than temporary positions.
Investment in technology training and upskilling programs is an obvious step toward improving operational performance while boosting employee engagement and retention. Workers who master new technologies become more valuable to their organisations and experience greater job satisfaction.
Rethinking the future of cleaning…
Rather than viewing today's workforce shortages as a setback, the cleaning industry has an opportunity to reset. With the right application of technology, companies can not only stabilise operations but also create more rewarding and resilient roles for their staff.
The real shift is about reimagining how people and machines work together. Organisations that embrace this integrated approach stand to unlock greater efficiency, consistency and sustainability.
The path forward belongs to those willing to innovate on two fronts: investing in smart tools and investing in their people. Done right, this dual focus won't just solve today's staffing issues, it will define a stronger, smarter model for cleaning in the years ahead.
5th June 2025