Every business has a values statement. Most have a poster to go with it.
But if you want to know what a company really thinks of its people, skip the poster and visit the washroom.
The quiet signal
Staff use the washroom several times a day. They notice when the soap has run out, when the dispenser has been broken for a month, and when the smell is still there at ten o’clock. They don’t usually say anything. They just draw a conclusion.
A well-kept washroom says: we noticed, and we care. A neglected one says the opposite, however good the poster is.
Why it matters more than you think
For many South African workers, in factories, warehouses, retail and schools, the washroom is the one shared space on site. It’s where dignity is easiest to protect, and easiest to lose.
The effects are practical. Poor facilities hurt morale. They add to complaints and make good people less inclined to stay. And clean hands start with a washroom that works: stocked, functioning and clean.
None of this needs a big budget. It needs consistency.
What a good standard looks like
· Consumables never run out, because someone is responsible for checking them
· Faults are reported and fixed in days, not months
· Cleaning follows a schedule that matches how busy the facility is
· Odour is treated at the source, not covered up
· Someone checks the work, and the checks are recorded
The ten-point walk-through
Walk through your own washrooms this week, as if you were a new employee on your first day:
1. Is there soap at every basin?
2. Is there something to dry your hands on?
3. Is there toilet paper in every cubicle?
4. Do all the dispensers work?
5. Do all the taps, flushes and locks work?
6. Are the floors clean and dry?
7. Do the bins get emptied before they overflow?
8. Is there any smell?
9. Are feminine hygiene bins available and serviced?
10. Is there a way to report a problem, and does anyone respond?
If you can’t answer yes to all ten, you’ve found where to start.
Where to start
Fix the basics first: stock, repairs and a visible schedule. Then look at whether the equipment suits the way your facility is used, since a dispenser built for an office won’t survive a factory shift change.
At Red Alert, our Hygiene team looks after washroom services, consumables and ablution deep cleaning, and it can help you choose the right fixtures.
To arrange a visit, call Red Alert on 043 703 4701 or visit redalert.co.za.