Real-Life Communication
You are an experienced custodian who runs your own cleaning service
in a large city. Most of your clients are companies who own office towers
in the downtown area. Business is booming, and you've recently had to hire
10 extra custodians.
Besides basic cleaning, your firm specializes
in providing extra services, such as computer room cleaning and carpet steaming.
In addition, you advertise that your cleaning methods can help lessen the
effects of "sick building syndrome."
Sick building syndrome is caused
by air pollution in buildings that have poor air circulation. Office buildings
are a prime candidate for sick building syndrome, partly because workers are
normally unable to open windows.
One morning a secretary from a local
computer firm telephones you. She says several people who work in the office
are complaining of feeling sick. Their symptoms include headaches, itchy eyes,
sore throats and dizziness. When she told her doctor about the problem, he
said it was probably sick building syndrome.
The president of the company
refuses to move to another location, since the rent for office space in this
building is quite low. However, he will consider spending a bit more for cleaning
services.
The secretary saw your advertisement in the phone book. She
wants to know how your cleaning methods can help reduce the effects of sick
building syndrome.
While the secretary is talking, you grab a pen and
paper and jot down some notes to include in your answer:
- A study by the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that there are
two to five more times pollutants indoors than outdoors.
- Sick building syndrome affects all the surface areas, including carpets,
walls, upholstery, ceilings and window coverings.
- The problem is caused by a number of contaminants, including dust mites,
cigarette smoke, bacteria, chemicals and carpet fibers.
- Cleaning can help reduce the contaminants.
- We set up a schedule to make sure that all the surfaces are cleaned on
a regular basis.
- We are very careful to clean all areas of a building, even those that
are hidden.
- Our rates are higher than our competitors, but having healthier employees
will save the firm money in the long run.