Workplace Cleanliness?

[Zaphae]

I've recently started work at a Web Development company as a Web Developer, despite the job being good and paying well the only downside it the cleanliness of the workspace.

Since I have been there the cleaner has been off ill (due to and accident or something) and in turn the place hasn't been cleaned at all in well over 3 months. The only cleaning done is the secretary emptying the bins once a week.
The office since my start of contract has turned into a real degraded and neglected workplace, dirty floors and walls, rubbish all over the floors, very dirty toilets (that I refrain from using if I can) and more recently dog puke and dog puke stains over the carpets (the boss brings his dog to work who has been ill recently) there is even a dog puke sat at the top of the stairs (upon entering the building) that has been there for over a week and simply covered with a cardboard box!

I'm not sure what to do but it's really grossing me out and I feel like quiting based on that factor alone!

Any suggestions would be very grateful.

Kind regards,

Zaphae

[McMouse]

Check this out.

www.tradereform.org/content/view/2324/52

[bobjugs12]

You could stop whinging, grab a map and buket and lead by example?

[B00]

bobjugs- you're seriously suggesting Zaphae clean walls floors and especially dog vomit?? Wow!

I can't believe the bos wouldn't clean up after his dog either, he'd expect a cleaner to do that? I know i wouldn't.

Sorry Zaphae, not much use to you i know, if i was in your shoes, id just make sure i'd keep my own area of work was clean,and simply ignore the rest of the place.

[buildersmate]

So what happened when you raised the issue with the boss?
That has to be the first step.
We all have different standards and what is unacceptable to you (and probably the majority of people, given your description) seems to be acceptable to the boss.
Unfortunately he probably hasn't broken any laws - but that doesn't make it right.
You could start be raising it in a quiet but firm way - much the same as you described here. Your solution could be that he calls in a contract cleaner service. You could even offer to investigate sources and arrange for the contract on his behalf?

[Zaphae]

@bobjugs12 - Believe me I have thought about that many times, but the cleaning equipment is minimal and just as dirty. There is no point in cleaning dirt with dirt.

@McMouse - That is bad, and I've seen worse.

I'm after any legislation about workplace cleanliness or tips or if anyone has been in the same boat what was the best plan of action that they took?

[B00]

Oh, go with his suggestion ^, much better :-)

[McMouse]

Box at top of stairs. This is a Elf & Safety issue. Blow the whistle.

[Zaphae]

@buildersmate - Thanks for the reply, I've been debating with myself about your suggestion and feel it's probably the right thing to do. Thank you.

[bobjugs12]

Yes BOO, I am. Why not? She is obviously upset by the state of the enviroment, so rather than expecting someone else to take care of it for you, take the lead and do it yourself.
I know I have a rather basic, and utopian viewpoint; but I firmly believe in 'get the job done then whinge afterwards.'

By all rights get annoyed about the state, if people leave dirty coffee cups lying around everywhere then throw them straight in the bin. Threaten to refer the boss to H&S if he doesn't tidy up after his dog. Put out-of-order-due-to-health-and-hygene signs on the bog doors and then lock them. But at the same time don't just be a victim, be proactive. If everyone around you see's you being clean then hopefully they'll be embarrassed into pulling their weight.

[tamborine]

your territory, you clean your environment - if you dont want to clean up after boss, leave!

[buildersmate]

You asked about legal requirements. The relevant legal frameworks are the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Workplace (Health and Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
The HSWA requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and
anyone who may be affected by their work, and to maintain the workplace
and/or premises in a safe condition, which includes adequate cleaning. However it is rather short on specifics.

The latter Act is liable to be more fruitful in terms of specifics. See here - applies only in England and Wales.
http://www.opsi.gov.u...ksi_19923004_en_1.htm

You are still going to be better off timewise challenging the boss directly having armed yourselves with a little knowledge of the legislation - which would indicate your seriousness at escalating this to the statutory authority if he doesn't get it sorted fast. Talking to the H&S people and getting them to shift quickly will take forever unless life or limb is at stake.

[McMouse]

Constructive dismissal is a possibility. Take photographs.

[Zaphae]

Thank you for all your answers.

I pointed it out to the boss and he seemed unaware of how dirty the place had gotten, he also mentioned that the cleaner will be back soon, so with any luck it should get sorted.

In the meantime I'm going to take photo's as McMouse suggested and also print a copy off of the link that buildersmate provided, see how things pan out over this week and if it stays a sh** hole then I'll more then likely report it and take further action from there.

@ buildersmate - A personal thank you, your comments and link were very helpful, Thank you!

[Eve]

Could you get everyone together to have a really good clean up of the place, say one night after work to get it initially clean then get everyone to make more of an effort to keep it clean until the cleaner gets back, maybe a rota?