6 Ways To Deal With Absences Of Your Employees

A little known fact is that employee absenteeism eats up 5-17% of an organisation’s total payroll.

People who don’t come to work are not contributing to the success of any business.

Absenteeism is one of the often neglected problems in the business world.

It shows only after careful analyses of employees’ behavior and it is generally hard to deal with.

These are some of the signs to look for when trying to diagnose the absenteeism problem in your company.

• Repeated/frequent absenteeism
• A noticeable pattern of Monday and Friday absences
• Excessive tardiness
• Leaving work early
• Frequent absences due to vaguely defined illnesses
• Unauthorized leave
• Last minute requests for leave
• Excessive use of sick leave

This article will try to identify the causes of absenteeism and offer some possible solutions for the problem. Since the solution to this problem is usually very case-specific you will find that not all the things listed here may be applicable to your problem. Still, if you take things listed in this article as a starting point, you will be on your way to root out absenteeism from your organization.

1. Set Attendance Expectations

Have a set of company policies and expectations regarding attendance and always remind your employees about the importance of following these policies.

Have them notify a manager about the absence within a certain period of time, specifying the reason they won’t make it work, including their illness’ nature, and when they can get back to work.

It would be best to have them provide evidence too, such as a note from a doctor that states they are unfit for work.

These attendance expectations can also be incorporated into your company’s leave policy.

2. Identify The Underlying Issues

When you notice signs of absenteeism, you need to try to define and address the problems behind it, that is, to find out what the causes of absenteeism are and see if you can do something to eliminate them.

Before you decide to apply some harsh measures, try to find out if there are some issues with the work environment which make your employee skip work.

Are they under a lot of unnecessary stress due to the amount of work they need to do? Is the chain of command properly established? Is there maybe a need to improve the workplace hygiene? Is the employee a victim of bullying? Do they maybe have some personal problems which are out of their control?

Once you figure out all the facts, you will be more prepared to deal with the employee’s absenteeism problem.

3. Deal With Stress In The Office

Have you ever felt the need to take a day or two off from stress? Your employees do too! Hence the need to recognise it as a significant health and safety issue.

Create an atmosphere in the office that is conducive to work and will reduce stress in your employees. Work on making the office a safe working environment and make sure that everyone is properly trained to perform their duties.

Openly recognising work-related stress as a genuine problem also helps remove the stigma connected to it. Make it a habit to discuss and resolve issues among employees, and make the appropriate action.

Get your employees involved in creating a stress management policy in your workplace. Encourage them to share their opinions about their duties and the management as well.
If possible, employ extra staff or reorganise duties to reduce the need for overtime work.

4. Give Them Something More Than Just Work

A great way to encourage employees to keep coming in is to provide them with extra experiences that will help them bond with their fellow employees. A First Aid course like that on offer with Alsco is one good idea.

Not only does it totally detract from any topics that are too focused on work, but it also gives your employees great life skills to apply in their day to day lives beyond work.

There are a lot of cases where employees don’t miss work simply to attend and have fun with their friends.

5. Make Sure Your Workplace Is Clean

Did you know that substandard hygiene in the workplace also leads to employee absenteeism?

Now you know why your workers would rather head out to get coffee instead of making one in your office kitchen. This is the same reason why they spend too much time in the washroom lining up for the only clean toilet cubicle, or why some get sick way too often.

It’s time to clean up. You can start with having a fresh, clean, and hygienic washroom – something Alsco can help you with.

Alsco’s washroom services include a whole range of hygiene and washroom rental programs throughout New Zealand.

Invest in eco-friendly, functional, hygienic products for odour control, hand hygiene, and even First Aid in your washroom. Then watch it all be worth it when your employees start to feel fresher, cleaner and healthier in your workplace instead of always dreading to be inside it.

6. Be Someone They Can Talk To

When you notice that a particular employee leans heavily on the absences, the first instinct is to berate and scold. It’s understandable and it is a part of the human nature. But that will likely drive them even further away into more absences.

A better way to go would be to take the time to listen and get to the heart of the matter. You don’t have to do this every day. All you need is occasional moments to check on them. Water cooler conversations reveal a lot more than any office meeting will.

Absenteeism is a really big problem for organizations these days. Speaking from the financial point of view, it can have effects so strong that they may shut down companies.

However, if treated systematically and patiently, absenteeism can easily be reduced to negligible levels. All you have to do is give this problem the attention it deserves and dedicates some time to solve it.

Alsco is your partner in this effort. Alsco’s rental services are a great way to keep your company’s premises fresh and clean for the benefit of your employees, clients and yourself.

Contact Alsco if you have any questions regarding the improvement of your company’s work environment. Our friendly representatives and experts in the field of business hygiene and sanitation will be happy to give you some useful advice.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons by Famartin

Running a Successful Restaurant in 10 Steps

How you ever wondered why the idea of owning and running a restaurant is so appealing to so many people?

Would successfully running a restaurant be the best proof of their business skills?

Maybe people just like the idea of being labelled as a “restaurateur” and having a team of professional chefs who can make amazing food.

However, owning and running a restaurant is not as easy as it might sound, especially if you want to make it eco-friendly as well.

The Start

1. Take Care Of The Details

Before starting a restaurant, you should deal with the basics, like the name, menu, and overall concept of your future restaurant. The details are extremely important, and they shouldn’t be just witty or appealing – they should tell a story. Everything from the colour palette and theme to lighting and table linen should be chosen for a reason.

2. The Suppliers And Equipment

When deciding on these details, don’t just think about the price; the quality is just as important. Starting off right can save you both money and time, so think about eco-friendly kitchen mats, cloth roller towel dispensers, kitchen hardware and all the other tools you might need.

3. The Employees

Your chef is the heart of your restaurant, so it’s essential to find the right one. However, you should also do your best to hire the staff that fulfills your requirements. Another thing you should think about is uniforms, since they will make your restaurant look more professional, which will be greatly appreciated by the customers.

4. The Financing

Not spending too much money at the very beginning is essential for the overall success of your restaurant. Of course, the quality should still be the most important aspect, but keep the prices in mind if you want your investments to pay off.

The Running

5. Stay In Control

Running a restaurant is not easy, so you might find these few Restaurant Doctor’s tips useful:

• Cost Effectiveness (prioritise spending)
• Control (take a hands-on approach)
• Creativity (don’t be afraid to try new things)
• Cleanliness (instil the right routine from the beginning)
• Customer Service (happy customers are the ones who will return)

6. Keep Your Kitchen Running Smoothly

One of the most famous chefs of today, Gordon Ramsey, said that “chefs and their brigade have become today’s theatre and in many cases are taking to the actors’ stage like seasoned professionals,” so make sure your kitchen is functioning like a well-oiled machine.

7. Set The Prices

Getting this step right can mean a lot in terms of attracting customers. It’s okay to offer special deals, but if the prices are too high, there won’t be many diners who can afford to eat there. On the other hand, if the prices are too low, people might think there’s something wrong with the food, so it’s important to find the balance.

The Promotion

8. Think About The Marketing

Making your restaurant successful requires a lot of promotions and marketing. There are many techniques that can help you reach your goal, but the best way to do so is to focus on the local community and decide on the target demographic.

9. The Importance Of Being Green

The mainstream diners prefer restaurants and food that are eco-friendly. They want to know that the place they chose does not harm the environment, so making sure your restaurant abides by the environmental laws might determine the success of it.

10. Leave A Good Impression

You want your customers to remember your restaurant and spread the word about it, so you need to give them something positive to talk about. This is especially important since in the modern world, with all the social networks available, words spread much faster.

Of course, these are just a few things to consider if you want to ensure the success of your restaurant. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for help and take advice from those who’ve been there before and understand the struggles of owning and running a restaurant.

Clean And Bright Restaurant

The first impression lasts, especially if you are running a restaurant. There’s nothing in a restaurant more re-assuring to a patron than how clean, fresh and bright the white table linens are. With clean looking tables it will totally set the mood and image of your whole establishment.

If you want to have an easy and economical way to revitalise your restaurant, Alsco is here to help you. Call us now, our friendly representative is waiting.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons by ChildofMidnight
Photo courtesy of Freepik by @rawpixel

How to Make Your Employees Happy in 7 Simple Ways

Most business owners want their employees to be happy, as happy employees will put more effort into everything they do.

They love their job, and they are filled with positive energy that inspires everybody around them to be just as productive and enthusiastic about the job as they are.

Those kinds of employees – energetic, productive, loyal, and passionate about their work – are also those who share the dream of their employers and want to see the company grow bigger and more successful by the day.

With all that in mind, it doesn’t come as a surprise that employee happiness is becoming more and more important, which is why many companies are trying to emphasise the value of balance between professional and personal life. If you would like to do the same for your employees, here are seven ways in which you can do just that.

1. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

The attitude you show around the office will be the same one you’ll get from your employees. They tend to look up to you since you are, after all, their boss. So, if you act all serious and professional, they will act the same way around you. This doesn’t mean you should goof around like a clown in order to cheer up your employees; just be yourself and don’t be afraid to laugh and joke from time to time. It will set a good example, lighten up the work atmosphere and make you seem more approachable.

2. Do Things Together

Laughing is healthy, and too formal work atmosphere where nobody is allowed to make a sound can be very stressful and actually prevent your employees from being productive. Therefore, it’s a good idea to occasionally introduce something new into the work routine; you can come up with some entertaining team-building activities that will help your employees bond and relax. For example, organising the Alsco’s first aid training for employees is one practical way to do that. It is unusual, interesting and most importantly, very useful in everyday life.

3. Evaluate Employee Happiness

When evaluating our employees, we usually take into consideration things such as the quality of their work, productivity, performance, etc. So why not include happiness as well?

Ask your employees what they like about their job and what they would change. Take their answers seriously and think about the solutions. Also, make sure they feel comfortable and safe talking to you about the problems.

4. Focus On The Positive

Things don’t always go according to the plan, but that doesn’t mean you should get mad and scold your employees. The bad news is always unpleasant, for both you and them. Instead, try to engage your employees in finding a solution to the problem – ask for their opinion on what could be done better and encourage them to learn from the mistakes.

5. Celebrate The Good Things

Whether it’s somebody’s Birthday or you’ve just made a great business deal, don’t hesitate to celebrate your successes. It doesn’t have to be anything big – buy some snacks and drinks if you’re celebrating a Birthday, or take your employees out for a dinner night if it’s something more important. Snow them that you care about them as much as you care about the company.

6. Keep The Negativity Away

Things like gossip, envy and politics can really ruin the positive atmosphere at work. Sure, they are natural and you can’t avoid them completely, but you should know how to recognise them and deal with them in the right way.

Communication is always the best way to go about it. Or, you can also improve the team spirit with Alsco uniform rentals, which can provide a beautiful, personalised look for your teams that will keep them united. This guide will help you learn how to size workwear for maximum comfort and a perfect fit.

7. Make Sure Everything Is Clean

Cleanliness and proper hygiene are extremely important when it comes to the happiness of your employees. Nobody wants to work in a dirty and dusty office, not to mention that bacteria in the workplace can even make your employees sick and unable to work.

That is why cleanliness in the office should never be taken for granted. With Alsco, you have many sanitation options that make sure your office is fresh and conducive to happy employees.

From standard services like:

• hand hygiene
• odour control
• washroom services

to more specialised services like:

• feminine hygiene
• clinical services
• first aid,

we’ve got it all.

Alsco has been one of the most reliable names when it comes to quality cost-effective commercial services. We provide highly-customisable services for businesses across here.

If you’re looking for ways to get things done better, call us today. Our friendly customer service representatives are more than happy to help you out!

Photo courtesy of Freepik Images by Freepik Exclusive

5 Unusual Ways of Looking at Employee Health

You know what they say: health is wealth. The term “bottom line“ can often be heard in many companies. It refers to the importance of profitability in any business-related job and field.In other words, it is the result of employees’ hard work, and being so, it shows how important employee health really should be to every company.

The good thing is that, nowadays, many companies truly are emphasising the importance of employee health, and it’s not just about physical health anymore but the mental one as well.

A recent Workforce and Virgin Pulse survey has shown that many people (48.4 percent) consider their physical, mental, and emotional health to be closely related to one another. With all that in mind, here are five aspects that influence your employees’ well-being, which you might find surprising.

1. Hygiene

Many companies offer their employees gym memberships, health plans, etc. However, as nice as those things are, they aren’t the ones you should be focusing on. Poor health comes from poor hygiene, so instead of trying to improve your employees’ health, focus on preventing illnesses in the first place.

For example, if you work in a school, you can use this School Washroom Guide to figure out the role of a properly sanitised washroom in improving employees and students’ health and safety.

Installing hygienic systems like those from Alsco’s washroom service line will go a long way when it comes to dealing with contaminants and bacteria that tend to float around the office.

Alsco’s Fresh & Clean offers a thorough assessment that will allow us to offer you products and services that are tailor-made with your company and your employees’ needs in mind.

2. The Financial Aspect

Having a steady paycheck is great, but it doesn’t do much for those employees who are struggling with their budget. Feeling financially secure and in control can greatly help reduce the stress levels of your employees, and everybody knows that stress can harm one’s health in many ways.

Although you can’t change the bad habits of your employees who spend more than they can afford, you can reduce the need for spending by offering affordable and healthy food in your office. Another thing you can do is invest in seminars and programs that can teach your employees some basics in terms of budgeting and help them become smarter with their money.

3. Useful Skills

Working in an office can sometimes become exhausting and boring, so if you really care about your employees’ well-being, provide them with options that can help them improve themselves and their lives. Organising and going to seminars and lectures can boost your employee morale, increase their happiness, and teach them something new.

For example, you can sign up for Alsco training programs that will provide your employees with a little extra in regards to their work routine.

Alsco’s First Aid course is also a great option, as it makes employees feel more confident in case of emergencies both at work and outside the office. Include the Emergency Response & Evacuations course and your employees will feel much safer at work.

4. The Importance Of Feelings

How a person acts often depends on how they feel. So, if there is something bothering your employees, they are more likely to become ill and unable to do their best at work. Of course, you, as their employer, should try to help them. This might sound a bit complicated as you can never know how bad it really is and you can never fully understand something you’ve never felt.

However, the point is to help them help themselves by encouraging them to visit your HR department or if it’s something serious, talk to a counsellor. Never underestimate the effect of psychological trauma on a person’s well-being.

5. Comfortable Environment

Working in a beautiful, well-lit office with plants and big windows is not the same as working in an old, smelly place that looks like it could fall apart at any moment. Workplace matters, and it’s not difficult to make it comfortable.

Consider something like Alsco’s Odour Control system. This automatic, wall-mounted air freshener dispenses a measured dose of fragrance at intervals that you can program and control.

We all know that smells can affect our mood. So, introduce pleasant scents into your workplace, since they will relax your employees and make them feel better while at the same time eliminating any unpleasant smells that would otherwise surely affect their mood.

For over 50 years, Alsco has been the only company to call on when you need a wide range of reliable, affordable, and highly personalised services for your business. Alsco covers a wide range of services from commercial linen to uniform rentals.

We also provide hygienic systems that tend to the needs of your employees when it comes to comfort, hygiene, and good health.

Contact Alsco now if you care about upgrading your employee care programs. Our friendly customer service staff will find the best and the most affordable solution for you!

Photo courtesy of Freepik Images by Freepik Exclusive

Washroom Rights Every Employee Should Know

Even though the topic of employees’ workplace washrooms rights isn’t something that’s usually discussed, it is important for every worker to know their rights.

With that in mind, here are some things related to the topic of washroom rights that every employee should be aware of.

You Must Have Workplace Washrooms

Every workplace must have a washroom for the employees (except if your work includes constant travelling between different locations).

If you’re working at one location, like in an office, then your rights about having a washroom available are pretty clear. Your building must have a washroom facility you and your colleagues can use, and it must have both a toilet and a basin for you to wash your hands.

For example, if a school is your workplace, here’s all you need to know about your school washroom requirements.

However, if you are a part of a mobile work crew, then a washroom with all the necessary elements must be available within a quarter mile of your working site.

There Must Be Enough Facilities

The number of washroom facilities you should have depends on how many employees there are, regardless of their gender.

In this section, the numbers are related to female employees, but they do apply in gender-neutral washrooms as well.

• Between 1 and 5 employees, 1 toilet and 1 hand-washing facility.
• Between 6 and 25 employees, 2 toilets and 2 hand-washing facilities.
• Between 26 and 50 employees, 3 toilets and 3 hand-washing facilities.
• Between 51 and 75 employees, 4 toilets and 4 hand-washing facilities.
• Between 76 and 100 employees, 6 toilets and 5 hand-washing facilities

When it comes to male employees, the numbers are:

• Between 1 and 15 employees, 1 toilet and 1 urinal.
• Between 16 and 30 employees, 2 toilets and 1 urinal.
• Between 31 and 45 employees, 2 toilets and 2 urinals.
• Between 46 and 60 employees, 3 toilets and 2 urinals.
• Between 61 and 75 employees, 3 toilets and 3 urinals.
• Between 76 and 90 employees, 4 toilets and 3 urinals.
• Between 91 and 100 employees, 4 toilets and 4 urinals.

You Must Have Washroom Breaks

We all have washroom-related needs, even at work. A study has shown that an average worker spends about 41 hours every year in the washroom. Every employee should be provided with a few breaks in order to be able to take care of their needs, freshen up, and regain energy. Washroom breaks are no exception here.

There Should Always Be Hygiene Supplies In The Washroom

This might seem like common sense, but it’s surprisingly often overlooked. In every workplace washroom, there should be both cold and warm water available as well as soap. Also, there should be either a hand dryer or paper towels for employees to dry their hands.

In the workplace, taking take care of health and hygiene is essential. So, every employee should and must have access to hand hygiene facilities and supplies.

You Should Have Privacy

The way washroom is designed is extremely important, as it should be done appropriately. This has nothing to do with the quality of the facilities, but with the placement of the toilets. Needless to say, the toilets should be separated by a cubical and a door, so whoever is using them can have some privacy. This is a standard design for all workplace washrooms and there are no reasons not to follow it.

The Washroom Should Be Clean and Well-Maintained

All the washroom facilities should be cleaned every day, and the supplies (toilet paper, soap, etc.) should be checked regularly and refilled if needed. It’s also a good idea to clean up all the washroom facilities at the end of every workday. It might not be necessary but it’s highly recommended in order to ensure the cleanliness of the washroom. This includes mopping the floors, cleaning the toilets and basins, emptying the trash bin, refilling the soap, replacing the toilet paper, etc.

You Don’t Need Showers In The Workplace

In most workplaces, showers are not necessary. However, if you’re working in a lab with lots of chemicals that could be harmful or in a gym where people sweat a lot, then you should be provided with shower facilities (with both cold and warm water). In those cases, showing helps employees maintain their hygiene and safety.

What Employers Can Do To Improve Their Washrooms

Unfortunately, in terms of washroom rights, there are some companies who do the very least, just enough not to get in trouble. They are only looking for ways to save money, but that is a bad way to do it. The washroom is not a place where you should try to save up, as it doesn’t really require much. Most of the things it does require are pretty much the bare necessities for maintaining the hygiene of the users. Plus, it is possible to provide your employees with everything they might need, from the facilities to enough breaks, and still spend much less money than you might expect.

When it comes to saving money, one thing you could and should do is go green. If you choose eco-friendly options for your washroom, you’ll be able to use toilet paper made of recycled materials, natural soaps, and if you want to go one step further, even solar panels that can help you save money on electricity. There are a lot of benefits, and going green is not necessarily expensive.

As the one in charge, it’s your job to ensure that your washroom is up to the highest standards. It’s not just about having a place to go when you need to go, there’s much more to it.

If you truly do want to optimise your workplace and improve the productivity at your office, the best thing you can do is ask your employees what they would change. Talk to them about anything they might be unhappy about and see what you can do to solve the issues and make them happier. This way, you will create a much more positive atmosphere and boost your employees’ motivation as well as their respect for you and your company.

The chances are, there probably is something they would change, even if it’s something small and seemingly insignificant. Some of the most common complaints are related to the washroom conditions, so do your best to improve your washroom as much as you can.

Improve your washroom facilities, partner with Alsco. With our fully-managed washroom systems, you’re sure to have a clean, hygienic and well-maintained washroom for your workplaces. Contact us now!

8 Housekeeping Mistakes To Keep In Mind

Housekeeping is an important job regardless of whether we’re talking about a private home or a hotel.

From changing bed sheets and towels to cleaning every corner of a room, housekeeping is always necessary.

We will try to cover some of the most common mistakes that housekeepers in hotels and motels make as well as ways to prevent those mistakes while making sure your employees are safe.

Not Checking The Linen

One of the worst possible mistakes that can ruin the guests’ whole vacation is not checking the linen properly.

When changing bedroom linens, plush towels and dirty bathroom towels, it’s important to also check whether there are any holes in it. Similarly, when changing bed sheets, it’s essential to make sure they are actually clean.

Replacing dirty sheets with dirty sheets is unacceptable, even if done by accident, and it will definitely be noticed. It only takes a minute to check, and it means a lot to the people who’ll be using the linen.

Not Using The Advantages Of Linen Laundry Services

There are many rooms housekeepers need to go through in order for the rooms to be ready for people who’ll be staying in them, so why not make their work a bit easier? By using a linen laundry service, you could help your employees be more productive with their time and less stressed out.

Your housekeepers will be able to work faster and clean more rooms, and you will know that the linen is always cleaned properly and with the right kind of products.

Make the right move by contacting a linen laundry service, such as Alsco, today. Not only will Alsco clean your linen properly, but they will do so in a way that minimises your carbon footprint, keeping both your conscience and your linen clean.

Bad Communication

If you’re running a bigger hotel, you probably have many rooms and enough housekeepers so that they could share the workload and take care of all the rooms in time.

However, having more housekeepers means there has to be more communication in order for all the rooms to be cleaned in time. It can really make a difference since bad communication can result in many rooms not being finished before the guests arrive.

With all that in mind, it’s essential for you to set up a good communication system that all the housekeepers can follow at all times. It can be anything from texting to coming up with a more organised plan, as long as all the housekeepers know which rooms have been cleaned and which need to be. Thus, communication should be one of your priorities.

Not Training Your Employees

Having to stick to deadlines can sometimes be really stressful, regardless of what you’re doing. Even though the housekeeping job itself might not be that complicated, it doesn’t mean the tasks can’t be difficult for the employees, especially if they aren’t prepared for them. It’s your job to ensure that all your new housekeepers are well prepared and fully aware of what their job includes and how they should do it. They need to know all their responsibilities and best ways of finishing their tasks efficiently. It shouldn’t take you more than a few hours a day to prepare them, and it can do wonders for the workflow.

Not Restocking The Toiletries In Time

This might seem like a small and irrelevant mistake, but it is still a part of housekeeping that shouldn’t be overlooked. It might not play a big role in the room quality, but we all know that it’s always the little things – like toiletries – that matter the most when it comes to your guests’ opinions of your hotel.

So, make sure that drinks like tea and coffee are available at all times and that there’s always toilet paper in the rooms, and your guests will surely enjoy their stay.

Not Enough Planning

Planning is important in every field of work, and housekeeping is not an exception. When entering a messy room, every experienced housekeeper will know where to start cleaning and how to finish their job quickly and efficiently. However, for some new housekeepers, it might take time to adapt to the job and learn how things should be done. That’s why it’s a good idea to plan how to clean the room in advance instead of just entering a room and hoping for the best.

For example, if they first vacuum the room and then clean the sheets, the bed might turn out to be much messier than before and even covered in crumbs – so, in this case, they would learn to clean the sheets first and vacuum later. This shows how planning can help your employees be more efficient.

Not Throwing Out Old Linen In Time

Every item has its expiration date, including linen. It might not always be easy to tell when your linen needs to be replaced, but if you notice any marks of wear and tear on the bed sheets, it is a good sign that they need to be changed.

Not Cleaning The Carpets And Rugs Properly

Needless to say, it’s extremely important to keep your hotel clean, and carpets and rugs play a big role in that. It might not seem like a big deal, but try to clean your carpets at least once every few months. Even though deep cleaning your rugs and carpets is a task that can take a whole day, it will definitely be worth the money when you see the results.

Have You Made Any Of The Mistakes?

Housekeeping is not as simple as it might seem, and it can sometimes be very stressful, especially when working in a big hotel with a great number of rooms that need to be cleaned every day. However, by keeping all of these mistakes in mind, your employees can improve their productivity and motivation and reduce the time it takes them to clean each and every room.

Knowing the most common housekeeping mistakes brings you one step closer to avoiding them and dealing with them if they do happen. You can improve your housekeeping services and make your guests happier by allowing Alsco take care of all your linen-related needs. Alsco provides fresh and clean accommodation linen conveniently and inexpensively, every day.

Send us an enquiry now! Our friendly and well-informed staff are waiting to help.

Photo courtesy of Freepik Images by yanalya

A Laundry Service: Do You Really Need It?

Letting a laundry service take care of all your laundry-related work and accommodation linens can be extremely helpful.

Having to do your laundry yourself would probably take a lot of your time, which would prevent you from focusing on other, more important things.

If you work from home, hiring a laundry service would allow you to take care of your other housework at your own pace without having to run around and constantly check your washing machine and dryer. You could take your time knowing that there is one less thing to worry about.

If you work in a hotel, using a laundry service would allow you to relax since you wouldn’t have to run from one room to another and think about putting another load in the washing machine. With all that in mind, here are just some of the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a laundry service, which will hopefully help you decide whether you really need it or not.

The Advantages

It’s Convenient

Of course, there may be some disadvantages of paying somebody else to do your work for you, but those disadvantages become much less significant if you take into consideration the convenience of paying for such service.

Hiring a laundry service means that your employees will no longer feel stressed out over the amount of work they have. Also, taking care of the whole linen process will be much easier since they won’t have to think about the cleaning process as well. This will help them feel much more in control of their work.

For example, if a hotel is using a laundry service, it means that the housekeeping employees don’t have to constantly change and clean dirty linen and toiletries. This will allow them to focus on other aspects of their work since all they need to do is send the dirty laundry away and receive them fresh and clean. This way, their workflow will remain undisturbed and they won’t feel so frustrated over the amount of work they have.

It’s Less Time-Consuming

Time is always important, especially in the world of business. There are always strict deadlines for housekeeping employees, which serve to ensure that the hotels guest have their room as soon as possible – and that they are satisfied with it.

So, if an employee has to spend time dealing with dirty laundry, then they can’t focus on cleaning the rooms thoroughly and on time. This is just one of the issues that using a laundry service can solve, as it allows employees to spend more time taking care of the rooms so their guests can truly enjoy their stay.

No Need To Spend Money On Cleaning Products

If you were to do all your cleaning yourself, you would also have to spend money on all the cleaning products you would need, and some of them can be quite expensive. On the other hand, laundry services mostly buy these kinds of products in a bulk, which means that they are much more affordable for them. From that point of view, it’s clear why it’s better to let laundry services take care of your cleaning needs instead of doing everything yourself.

It’s More Eco-Friendly

Lately, there’s been a lot of emphasis on going green, and lots of companies take pride in being considered eco-friendly. However, the thing is, going green can be rather costly as some equipment required for such a thing is not exactly cheap. In other words, if you’re running a small business, you might not be able to afford the equipment you would need for going green.

On the other hand, laundry services are all about customer satisfaction, so when it comes to laundry, they use only the best machinery. So, using a laundry service is definitely something you should consider if you want to implement an eco-friendly aspect into your business.

The Disadvantages

It’s Expensive

Just like everything else, hiring a laundry service can sometimes be quite expensive. In most hotels, linens are changed every day (depending on whether somebody’s been using the room recently) so the amount of linens that need to be cleaned can really accumulate.

Even though hiring a laundry service to clean the linen can cost a lot, you need to take into account that doing the laundry yourself would also mean spending money on things such as cleaning products, machinery, manpower, etc. – and all of those things can be expensive. However, even though the price of hiring a laundry service is a big disadvantage, the convenience definitely makes up for it

You Don’t Know Anything About The Process

Since you won’t be the one dealing with your laundry, you can’t really know anything about the process it will go through at the laundry service or the cleaning products they will use. Even though most laundry services make sure to use safe products, there is still no way for you to know what exactly they are using when taking care of your laundry.

The Standard Way Of Cleaning

The services are usually standardised, so every linen will be treated the same way. This means that if you have high-quality linen at your hotel, it might be a good idea to get informed about the best methods for washing sensitive linen and whether your laundry service can use such methods. In other words, you might need to make some special requests when it comes to the way your linens are washed at the service.

Luckily, many laundry services are willing to cater to all of their customers’ needs, just make sure to actually make such a request if you don’t want your linen to be treated like any other.

So, Do You Actually Need It?

If you simply have too much linen to take care of yourself, don’t hesitate to hire a laundry service that will make your work much easier. As your business grows, there will be more and more work, so letting another company take some load off your back will definitely help you keep everything under control.

In short, although there are some disadvantages to hiring a laundry service, there are many more advantages that would make such a decision pay off in the long run.

By outsourcing your laundry cleaning needs, you’ll be able to boost the productivity at your workplace, help your employees feel less stressed out, minimise your carbon footprint and save some money.

Need fresh, clean and quality linens every day? Alsco offers a comprehensive range of linen to suit your needs. Contact us now.

Photo courtesy of Flickr Images by Véronique Debord-Lazaro
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9 Washroom Design Ideas To Consider

Do you actually know how much time your employees spend in the washroom?

It’s probably not something you usually think about, but that might change once you learn how much time they actually spend there.

A study has shown that on average, workers spend 41 hours every year in the washroom, which is pretty much a week’s worth of work. Considering the amount of time they spend there, it’s sure to have some impact on their work.

That’s probably one of the reasons why Steve Jobs decided to have only two bathrooms in Pixar facility.

He knew what potential the washroom could have in terms of bringing people together to exchange ideas. You don’t have to follow his example, but there are some other washroom design options you should consider.

The Workplace Washroom Design

Washroom design is a task you should take seriously since it can influence your employees’ productivity a lot. Of course, functionality is the most important aspect, but it’s not the only one you need to think about. Here are some details you should keep in mind when designing your workplace washroom.

1. Hygiene And Modern Devices

If you have workers who care about their hygiene, as they should, it might bother them if your washroom isn’t up to their standards. For example, they might not want to touch surfaces that have been touched by somebody who is less hygiene-conscious than they are.

You can make your hygiene-conscious employees happy and your washroom germ-free by installing touchless devices in it. They would look great in your washroom, and some of these include:

• Hand dryers
• Toilets
• Dispensers for toilet paper
• Soap dispensers
• Faucets
• Dispensers for paper towel

2. Proper Lighting

Proper lighting fittings are not just about lighting the room – there’s much more to it. If it were just about the visibility, you could simply make the lights as bright as possible. However, lighting can do much more than just illuminate the room. The thing is, proper lighting can also reduce stress as long as it’s not too bright.

3. Air Circulation

The air inside your washroom should always be fresh and be circulating. Nobody wants to use a room that smells bad – they are more likely to stay as far away from it as possible. To make sure the air is circulating properly, install quality ventilators and use some nice air fresheners. Also, be mindful when placing the ventilators – you don’t want to place them right above the stall since that could lead to some quite embarrassing situations for those who use those stalls.

4. Music

Everybody knows that music can have a calming effect on people, so why not play some good music in your washroom? Some types of music can really help people relax. Considering that many workers use the washroom to unwind, they would surely appreciate such an idea. You can play sounds of nature, like bird sounds, or something similar. Another good idea is to play some more upbeat music to energise your employees and boost their productivity. It’s all about creating the right kind of atmosphere, and music can really help with that.

5. The Right Type Of Stalls

Have you ever walked into a washroom and wondered whether the stall you’re looking at is occupied or not? You can imagine why this could be a problem in any washroom. So, make sure you install the right kind of doors to avoid this type of confusion.

6. The Doors

As already mentioned, some people prefer not to touch any surfaces in the washroom, including the door knobs. So, you can see why typical doors are not the best option for your washroom. Plus, some people don’t wash their hands after using the toilet, so installing the knobs is not always the most hygienic option.

The doors should be designed in a way that allows you to open them without touching or turning the knobs. With that in mind, consider installing doors that swing outwards.

Another good idea is to avoid doors completely and choose a labyrinth entrance instead. That way, your employees won’t have to worry about germs and the stall will still be protected from the view.

7. Hot Water

Your employees will love the idea of having hot water in the bathroom, especially if you make it available all the time. If you think that such an idea would cost a lot and make your washroom waste too much energy, don’t worry – there are many eco-friendly options you can consider.

8. The Toilet Seats

Nobody wants to enter the washroom just to see that somebody has used the stall before and left a dirty toilet seat. You can prevent this issue from occurring by installing toilet seats that are kept upright (so they can’t get dirty as easily) and by using toilet seat sanitisers.

9. Hooks And Shelves

Adding shelves inside your washroom can provide your employees with temporary storage for their things. You can also add hooks inside the washroom stalls, which can come in handy when your workers need to hang their jackets, coats, and bags.

Finally, you can improve the overall experience of using your washroom by getting a managed washroom service from Alsco. Keep your workplace fresh, clean and hygienic. Get Alsco’s fully managed washroom hygiene systems now. For more details, send us an enquiry.

6 Tips That Will Help You Run Your Business

Running a business is never an easy job. Stressing out due to all the problems that need to be solved is expected.

To be able to deal with it, it’s important to understand what stress really is; it’s your body’s natural reaction to a certain situation that seems out of our control, also known as the flight or fight reaction.

This reaction comes in handy when you find yourself in a physical danger, but nowadays, it can also cause many problems. When your body reacts to emotional issues in the same way as it would to the physical ones, then you will start feeling stressed out.

Make your life easy and hassle-free, contact Alsco and enquire about our cost-efficient and fully-managed rental services.

If you’re looking for ways to make your job as easy and smooth as possible, consider the following few tips. They will not only help you deal with the stress, but also prevent many other problems from developing in the first place. The thing is, regardless of how much money you’re making, you can still end up stressed out, so follow these few steps in order to avoid it as much as you can.

1. Plan Ahead

This might sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people ignore this very important step. Not having a business plan can make you lose both money and resources. On the other hand, having a good plan increases your chances of success. The lack of planning has also shown to be one of the main reasons why most of the new business fail so fast, so this isn’t something you should think twice about.

A good business plan should have several important components:

• The company’s goal and main idea
• A description of your company’s services and products, and what makes you unique
• The market analysis
• A description of your management team
• Your marketing strategy
• Your company’s strong and weak points
• A cash flow statement
• Projections of revenue
• A short and clear summary of the entire plan

2. Come Up With A System

Regardless of your field of work, you need to develop a system about how different processes are handled. All your employees should follow that system. Having a good system is important because it standardises the way things are done in your company, which leaves very little room for mistakes. In other words, it helps you streamline the way your business is done.
For example, if you’re producing a certain product, you need to have an efficient system of manufacturing that product in the best possible way and make sure all your employees stick to that system.

3. Delegate

As your business grows, so will the number of your responsibilities and tasks that need to be taken care of in order for your business to keep running smoothly. At some point, you might become overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to do. When that happens, don’t be afraid to delegate some of the tasks; give your employees more responsibilities. By doing so, you will also show your appreciation of their hard work and in turn, make them more loyal to your company.

4. Outsource When Needed

Outsourcing means that you let other companies do a part of your company’s work for you. It’s becoming more and more common as it has many advantages. It can save you money because it often costs less to let others do things for you instead of doing them yourself. Outsourcing also allows you to focus on other, more important aspects of your business.

Some things that you can outsource are:

• Web Design and Development
• Laundry of Uniforms and Linens
• Washroom Services and Maintenance
• Customer Support

All of these are essential for running your business successfully, but are better done by somebody else; it allows you to spend more time dealing with more important aspects of running a business while still getting quality service.

5. Make Use Of The Technology

You need to know how to use technology to your advantage. Luckily, there are many modern tools that can help you increase your business productivity and competitiveness.

Some of them include:

• Planning software
• Accounting software
• Time Tracking software
• Software for email management
• Mobile internet access

These tools can make some aspects of your business, like communication for example, much faster, smoother, and easier.

6. Don’t Forget About The Teamwork

None of these tips can help you if your employees are not willing to work with you and with each other. This is why it’s important to hire people with certain qualities who will be happy to help you and willing to do whatever it takes to see the company grow.

With that in mind, focus on hiring productive and smart team players who will bring the company together and take some of the load off your back.

Being a business owner comes with many emotional challenges and no matter how prepared you think you are, stress can always sneak up on you. Running a business is definitely not an easy task, but it can be made easier.

So, we have these 6 tips laid out for you to help you reduce stress when running a business. Plus with Alsco’s fully-managed services, you sure can run your business smoothly. Enquire now! Our friendly and informed staff are waiting to help!

Photo courtesy of Freepik Images by Freepik Exclusive

Mistakes In Maintaining Entrances You Should Avoid

Have you ever thought about the number of people who pass through your building entrance every day? How about how many times a day someone walked in or out of your building or facility?

Entrances must be one of the busiest and most frequented places in a building. Still, they are most neglected, as companies and organizations tend to underestimate the importance of entrances.

First Impressions Are Crucial

The first thing people see when going to a store or a company is the entrance. As with meeting new people, it is important to leave the right impression.

This does not only apply only to potential clients or customers, but to employees as well. The building entrance is the very first thing they see when going to work. The building can either inspire them or leave a gloomy feel.

But not only that. As one of the busiest spots in a facility, they affect the level of hygiene of the entire place. If proper mats are used at the entrance, and in turn reduce cleaning expenses.

Interested in a wide range of our mat solutions? Contact us at Alsco.

Common Entrance Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

If you are looking to improve the level of hygiene in your building and reduce cleaning costs, the most obvious place to start with is the entrance.

Here are some of the more common mistakes made in connection with maintaining building entrances. Use the list to avoid these mistakes and ensure cleaner and more presentable workplace:

1. Not Keeping The Outside Area Clean

People’s shoes are actually the source of more than 90% of dirt that ends up in carpets. No wonder then why keeping the exteriors clean is crucial to maintaining the interior cleanliness.

Many establishments do not keep their immediate outside area clean enough. This includes the pavement, the parking area, and other exterior places where people usually pick up dirt and dust, which eventually ends up inside, increasing the costs of cleaning and maintenance.

2. Not Providing Adequate Entrance Mats

Think of entrance mats as the very first line of defense against dirt and dust. If they are inadequate or of poor quality, you will, in all likelihood, lose the first battle in keeping your establishment clean and your cleaning costs low.

Due to high foot traffic, you need to make sure that your entrances are equipped with mats that will protect the floor and control the dust. With a minimum length of 20 feet, an adequate entrance mat should be highly-absorbent and specifically designed to capture dirt and moisture, preventing them from entering an establishment.

3. Not Vacuuming Daily

Even if you take every precaution to prevent dirt and dust entering your establishment, some will always pass through. This is why regular vacuuming of the establishment, especially its entrance and entrance mats, is a must in keeping the area clean.

However, this necessity is usually overlooked, and many establishments fail to vacuum, not just their entrances but their whole interior on a daily basis. This, in turn, leads to building up of dirt and dust, making it more difficult and expensive to clean.

Keep your eyes on those areas that get a great deal of traffic and make sure that your entrance is vacuumed every day.

4. Not Using Pile Lifter Vacuum Cleaners

You might succeed in ensuring daily vacuuming of your establishment, but if heavy-duty vacuum cleaners, such as pile lifters, are not used, entrance mats will not be properly maintained.

The best solution to removing dry dirt trapped in a mat or a carpet is to use pile lifter vacuums. They are regularly used in high-traffic areas to reach the base of the carpet fibers and remove embedded soil and dry grainy matter. Although the purchase of a pile lifter may seem like an expensive investment, it is a necessity for heavy-traffic establishments that will prove to be cost-effective in the long run.

5. Not Focusing On Heavy-Traffic Areas

Instead of cleaning all the floors in a building every day, it is more effective to focus on those areas that get more traffic. In a building with multiple floors, daily cleaning can prove to be extremely time-consuming, which in turn can leave less or no time needed for daily maintenance of entrances.

While wall to wall cleaning should be performed occasionally, it is more useful to focus on entrances for daily vacuuming as they get a great deal of traffic and can filter out most of dirt and dust.

6. Not Vacuuming Lift Floors

Cleaning lift doors is important for preventing dirt and dust spreading to upper floors. This is why they should be cleaned at least once every week.

Another great idea would be to have the lift floors carpeted so they can trap dust and dirt. Dry cleaning these carpets would mean that it would have a quick turnaround.

7. Not Replacing Entrance Mats Regularly

High foot traffic results in heavy use of entrance mats. Companies tend to over-extend the use of entrance mats. That means mats are regularly used even when they no longer serve their purpose due to their worn-out condition.

Over-extending the life of an entrance mat is never the right decision in the long run because it can lead to increased cleaning costs. This is why you should see to it that your entrance mats are regularly replaced so they can be most effective.

8. Not Maintaining The Cleaning Equipment Properly

Inadequately maintained equipment significantly reduces efficiency. This means that more time and effort are needed to clean a particular area. This is why proper maintenance and cleaning of the equipment should be a priority at all times.

Now that are you familiar with some of the more common mistakes made in maintaining and cleaning entrances, you should start working on how to avoid them in your own workplace.

Learn how you can try out Alsco’s floor mats for free to ensure a cleaner and safer workplace. Enquire now!