Cleaning in Times of Pandemic: Perceptions of COVID-19 Risks among Workers in Facility Services

Abstract

Cleaning services are a transversal activity that guarantees the proper functioning and conditions of safety, hygiene, and health across all economic sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for clean, sanitary spaces, particularly in health services and other areas with a large number of people. The workers in these services were often placed on the frontline without any specific training or information. Their low average schooling aggravated this situation. Therefore, exploring these workers’ perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential influence on their mental health was the primary goal of our research. Structured interviews were conducted based on questionnaires in a sample of 436 women. Their characterisation focused on three aspects related to the pandemic. First, to prevent infecting others (85.5%) and that people close to them could die (86.0%) were the dominant concerns; second, the feeling of permanent vigilance was mentioned (56.2%); and third, the fear of not getting medical care (60.7%). Thus, the workers felt there was a need for more dissemination of individual protection measures, as well as more training, better general working conditions, and access to psychological counselling.

Relationship Between Psychological Distress, Burnout and Work Engagement in Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…For example, in a longitudinal study conducted on a sample of 1,308 Finnish workers, an increase in psychological distress and technostress was found during the COVID-19 crisis especially derived from a change in the conditions of their work, being especially greater in young women ( 22 ). Similarly, some occupational groups such as cleaners or healthcare workers have seen their workload increased in a context of greater exposition to COVID-19, in order to address emerging needs in society ( 23 ). Other professional groups have had to modify their way of working (teleworking, change of destinations and functions, etc.)…”