Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009 - (Page 25)

Green Scene (continued from page 19) Staff Contacts IEHA’s Association Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Mon-Fri. Call toll free: (800) 200-6342 or (614) 895-7166, or fax: (614) 895-1248. Or, write: IEHA, 1001 Eastwind Drive, Suite 301, Westerville, Ohio 43081-3361; or e-mail: excel@ieha.org. Visit us on the Web at www.ieha.org. We have changed to an automatic voicemail system. Dial the appropriate extension listed below for the department you wish to reach. If you are unable to reach the appropriate person, please leave a detailed message; we will return your call as soon as possible. ACCOUNTING: Tax and group exemption information • ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104. Accounts payable and receivable • ask for Jody Thomas, ext. 101, or e-mail her at jthomas@ieha.org. CONVENTIONS: Seminars, exhibit and registration information • ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104, or e-mail her at brisinger@ieha.org. EDUCATION: General education information, exam results, self-study courses and information, status of CEH/REH applications, evaluation of transcripts, scholarships • ask for Sarah Larsen, ext. 103, or e-mail her at slarsen@ieha.org. CHAPTER/DISTRICT INFO AND ACTIVITY, REBATES AND MINUTES • ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104, or e-mail her at brisinger@ ieha.org. EHT MAGAZINE: PUBLISHER • ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104, or e-mail her at brisinger@ieha.org. EDITORIAL • ask for Laura DiGiulio, ext. 102, or e-mail her at ldigiulio@ieha.org. ADVERTISING • ask for Laura DiGiulio, ext. 102, or e-mail her at ldigiulio@ieha.org. SUBSCRIPTIONS • ask for Sarah Larsen, ext. 103, or e-mail her at slarsen@ieha.org. MEMBERSHIP: New membership, member benefits, renewals, applications, prospect packets, dues received • ask for Tremaine Chubb, ext. 108, or e-mail him at tremaine@ ieha.org. POLICY: Administration, By-Laws, P&P questions • ask for Beth Risinger, CEO/Executive Director, ext. 104, or e-mail her at brisinger@ ieha.org. PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: PLACE ORDERS • ask for Jody Thomas, ext. 101, or e-mail her at jthomas@ieha.org. CHECK ORDERS • ask for Jody Thomas, ext. 101, or e-mail her at jthomas@ieha.org. INTERNATIONAL HOUSEKEEPERS WEEK information, specialty items • ask for Jody Thomas, ext. 101, or e-mail her at jthomas@ ieha.org. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS: Ask for Laura DiGiulio, ext. 102 or for Beth Risinger, ext. 104. a normal, five-day schedule; but, other environmental benefits are worth mention. Simply the reduction in weekly commute time and exposure reduces one’s exposure to pollutants. According to a recent California EPA study, 50 percent of a person’s daily exposure to ultrafine particles can occur during a commute. Ultra-fine particles are directly linked to cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses. Concentrations of these dangerous particles build up in commuter traffic and we are exposed to them as we drive to and from work in a tailpipe-to-windshield setting. Healthy, rested employees are happy employees; so it isn’t surprising to see the reduction of employee turnover and an increase in employment applications. But, how would your position as an executive housekeeper change if your business or organization switched to a four-day workweek? Do you have a pilot program in place to test your possible, measurable successes? Your workforce will be healthier and happier, but working a longer day. What changes in your job responsibilities do you predict? However, it is doubtful that many IEHA members within the hospitality, lodging, and healthcare industries will be affected by a trend to a four-day workweek. The nature of those industries does not make a four-day workweek feasible. Those of us that are moving toward a four-day workweek will not experience a reduction in cleaning, but more cleaning during some days and less cleaning on others. The restructuring of the workweek will not reduce the number of hours in operation or the number of people occupying our building. We will have staffing adjustments and other challenges as we focus on creating a healthy, Green work environment for the occupants who will be working a new, longer shift at the building; including our own cleaning personnel. I encourage all of you to initiate internal conversation regarding the four-day workweek. Would it work for your industry? What are the potential benefits for your building, and what possible problems do you anticipate? How will your cleaning program be altered and what impact will that have on the building occupants? It will be interesting to follow these examples of the four-day workweek, and see the real numbers in reduced energy spending, reduced carbon footprints, and increased employee health. One day, it could make a world of difference. Earth Day Reminder As most of you know, April 22nd is Earth Day. I want to encourage you all to be actively involved. For too long, our role was to clean up after events, but our role as executive housekeepers is too important to sit on the sidelines during the big day. Please plan to promote your Green efforts to your building occupants and your community. I hope you all also celebrate your year of hard work with events that showcase your programs that embrace sustainability. We are all making a difference—let’s use this day to show the public how we have, and where we are going next. u A 26+-year veteran of the cleaning industry, Stephen P. Ashkin is a tireless advocate for environmentallypreferable cleaning. Often referred to as the “father of Green cleaning,” Ashkin has played a pivotal role in setting industry standards, promoting environmentally-preferable products, and advocating socially-responsible practices. For more information, visit www.ashkingroup.com. March 2009/Executive Housekeeping Today 25 http://www.ieha.org http://www.ashkingroup.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009 Contents Executive Corner Why Integrated Cleaning and Measurement is Good for the Cleaning Industry Hygienic Green Cleaning - The Next Wave Frugal Housekeeper Integrated Cleaning and Measurement: A New Approach to Housekeeping and Sanitation Feature Article What's in YOUR Janitor Closet? The Green Scene 2009 Convention Information Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009

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