Facility and Risk Management Tips

Facility and Risk Management Tips presented by www.solidrockfacilitymanagers.com 

Restrooms impact employee experience: one in six respondents surveyed by Tork said they've left a job because of a poor restroom.

Many individuals are not comfortable using a public restroom, which can negatively impact their well-being, according to new global research from Tork. This keeps them from participating in social activities (including enjoying food and drink in public), staying at a job, and feeling safe.

Users can be challenged by a range of factors including inability to access soap and hand towel dispensers, loud noises, lack of privacy or cleanliness.
The Tork 2024 Insights Survey  is a step in the Essity brand’s goal to raise awareness about inclusive hygiene in public restrooms and its work to help educate businesses on why they should provide more inclusive hygiene solutions. The research surveyed more than 6,000 end-users and 900 businesses in five countries. 

The Public Restroom: Barriers To Hygiene

 

Perceptions, concerns, and needs of both restroom visitors and businesses and their ability to eliminate visible and invisible barriers to pursuing hygiene in the public restroom were the focus of the research. Barriers to restroom hygiene can impact users with cognitive and physical limitations and those experiencing changes with age, circumstances or temporary/permanent life-changing events that alter their needs. For example, users can be challenged by a range of factors including inability to access soap and hand towel dispensers, loud noises, lack of privacy or cleanliness.

Here are some highlights from the research:

1. People feel anxious when they have to use a public restroom

2. 44% feel anxious when having to use the restroom outside of their home
When people are unable to wash their hands, they don’t feel safe

3. 73% of respondents feel unsafe if they can’t wash their hands
Poor restrooms are a reason people quit their jobs

4. 1 in 6 respondents (17%) said they left a job because of a poor restroom
People avoid eating or drinking to limit their use of public restrooms (38% of all respondents) and those with children or walking aids are more likely to do so

5. Nearly 50% of parents who need to bring a baby carrier or child in arms to use the public restroom have avoided eating or drinking to avoid visiting public restroom

6. 51% of respondents with walking aids3 are likely to avoid eating or drinking to avoid having to visit public restrooms

Shared Perspectives On Inclusive Hygiene
Tork, in partnership with the Global Handwashing Partnership, brought together experts and leading voices representing public and private organizations to review the data, share expertise, and work toward a greater understanding of the issues. During the event, participants from government, healthcare, academia, policy and advocacy shared perspectives on barriers to inclusive hygiene in public restrooms, showcased their work, and started to build a roadmap toward solutions.

Respondents consider access to public restrooms when planning social events or travel

1.26% of respondents avoided a social event because of concerns about access to public restrooms; that number rises to 39%4 for those who report a phobia or fear of viruses or bacteria

2. 44% of all respondents plan their travel routes to ensure they have access to restrooms

What are organizations doing about all this? According to the research:

1.80% of business leaders experience people with special needs in their restrooms on a weekly basis

2. 91% say it is important to their business that their restrooms are considered inclusive of everybody’s needs.

3. However, when asked what they are doing to ensure their restrooms are inclusive of all people with disabilities, the majority list two factors: “good lighting” (54%) and “disabled stall/toilet” (51%). 

4. A smaller percentage of facility professionals mentioned factors such as “providing sanitation bins in each stall” (33%), “providing changing stations” (23%), and “quiet dispensers” (21%).

5.  Nearly 90% of these facility professionals say that the state of their restroom is very much a reflection of the state of their entire facility.

According to Kolawole Dada, Managing Partner at Solid Rock Group,
“Restrooms are the busiest room in a facility and they often aren’t equipped to accommodate the constantly changing needs and capabilities of the population at large. This influences an individual’s ability to participate effectively at work, at social gatherings, their inclination to buy food or drink or dine at a restaurant and even what routes they choose to travel. Ultimately, providing better hygiene in public restrooms is good for a business and their visitors, customers and employees.”

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