I would think most businesses in Gloucestershire (if not all)
have been affected in some way by the Covid 19 virus, whether that be in a positive or negative way, and Clean Shield were certainly no exception.
We are lucky to have clients that cover a wide range of business sectors, but when the lockdown began they quickly fell in to two specific sectors, those that were shutting up shop, literally overnight, office blocks, for example, and those that became the frontline key sites, for example, Doctors Surgeries, Medical Centres & Schools (many schools, particularly primary schools, were open for the children of key workers).
At the same time, overnight the Clean Shield Team became two groups, those who had to be furloughed due to their particular site shutting down and those who suddenly found themselves thrusted to the frontline as Key Workers, working hard to keep the key sites open and as much as humanly possible Covid-19 free.
Many people have said that there has been a wartime spirit shown by most people up and down the country, and that spirit is definitely running through the Clean Shield Key Workers, as they all pulled through together, without hesitation, to keep the Key Sites open.
This of course was a steep learning curve not only for Clean Shield but the whole of the Commercial Cleaning Industry, with new safety regulations, cleaning procedures to adhere to, as well as the safe use of powerful chemicals to help tackle Covid-19.
With is in mind our MD, Kathy Price, subscribed to an Employee Assistance Programme, which offered a freephone 24 hour Helpline for all of the Clean Shield team, should they feel Covid-19 had affected them in some way and they needed someone to talk too.
Clean Shield MD, Kathy Price said, “I am so proud of the team spirit shown by the whole of the Clean Shield team, they have all worked extremely hard, working as one to make sure the Doctors Surgeries, Medical Centres, Schools and other Key Sites could carry on providing vital services.
This is an ongoing situation and we do not know if or when it will end, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, providing we all still follow the guidelines and rules to self-isolate if unwell and self-distance at all times and not forgetting to regularly wash our hands for 20 seconds!
I would like to personally thank all the Clean Shield Team for their loyalty and commitment through this difficult time, including of course those I had to unfortunately furlough, due to the many non-key sites which closed down over night.”
Kathy went on to say “Every business is different and has had their own struggles with Covid-19. I honestly do not know if we could have survived as a company had the government not stepped in with the direct help, they have given us through the furlough scheme.
On the other hand, Clean Shield was also lucky to be a business that provides essential cleaning services, this has helped keep the company going all the way through the crisis, cleaning the key sites that were still open supporting key workers”.