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Thanking the 'invisible workforce' of the COVID-19 pandemic

Often seen as the invisible workforce of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s cleaning industry has been at the forefront of the pandemic, and next Wednesday (20 October) offers a chance to truly thank those that provide this essential service.

Now in its sixth year, Thank Your Cleaner Day™  is a global initiative that celebrates the more than 160,000 Australians that dedicate their working hours to keep our work, healthcare, recreation and learning environments clean, safe, productive and hygienic.

OCS employs more than 4,000 frontline cleaners across Australia and New Zealand, providing essential services. Managing Director Gareth Marriott says it’s undeniable the important contribution cleaners make to society.

“Thanking our cleaners is more important than ever; like our healthcare professionals, they’re on the frontline of Australia’s COVID-19 response.

“This once-invisible workforce of cleaners has become the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside supermarket warriors and the extraordinary work done by our health personnel.

“Bursting their bubbles during rolling lockdowns to keep the rest of us safe, deep cleaning COVID-19 impacted areas and working harder than ever before as we come to terms with the virus and how best to stop the spread,” he says.

Data from Tork (from a survey conducted by United Minds in cooperation with Cint) in July 2020, shows that nearly 60 per cent of people in both aged care and shopping centre environments, while nearly 50 per cent of people in the workplace, have higher expectations on hygiene standards post-pandemic.

“We appreciate the work our people do every day, but in 2021 we want to make these hard-working members of our society feel more valued than ever before by the Australian public,” says Gareth.

Supported by Kärcher in Australia since 2015, Thank Your Cleaner Day™ has quickly grown into a global initiative celebrating the invaluable contribution cleaners make to our communities.

Kärcher Australia Managing Director, Hamish Matheson, says Thank Your Cleaner Day™ provides the perfect opportunity for people across Australia to recognise the amazing job that Australia’s cleaners do day in and day out.

“I urge as many people as possible to step up and support the day – a little thanks costs nothing but goes a long way for a workforce that works extremely hard to provide this essential but often invisible service,” he says.

“We are really proud to see increasing numbers of Australian businesses and individuals support the day as it continues to grow and gain momentum, showing appreciation for our invaluable cleaners.”

For more about Thank Your Cleaner Day™, and to download collateral such as ‘Thank You’ cards, visit: https://www.ocs.com/au/sustainability/social-mobility/thank-your-cleaner-day/  or https://www.thankyourcleanerday.com/australia.html.

Ways to thank your cleaner this Thank Your Cleaner Day

  • Hold a special event to thank your cleaners, such as a morning tea
  • Leaving a ‘thank you’ card for your cleaner signed by staff, which you can download here
  • Hanging up Thank Your Cleaner Day™ posters, or changing your digital signage with a ‘Thank You’ message
  • Donating an hour of your time and join them in their work
  • Taking a few moments to stop and acknowledge your cleaner – a simple smile and ‘thank you’ would be really appreciated.