07 July 2020
Looking back on a challenging, emotional, but rewarding period!
We too were in shock when the coronavirus was detected in the Netherlands. Slowly but surely more and more restrictions came from the government and we saw that many of our clients temporarily closed their doors. As we are also active in the healthcare sector outside the office, hotel and high traffic segment, we felt it was very important to support healthcare institutions in these difficult times. Employees who normally work in a different segment were given further training through on-site training by our healthcare specialists, training facilitated by healthcare institutions and E-Learning modules. As a result, we were able to respond quickly and provide support where it was so badly needed. Many of our cleaning staff found this quite exciting in the beginning, but quickly found their place. They were more combative than ever to contribute to the safety of the Netherlands.
Our colleagues offered temporary support at Spaarne Gasthuis, the Gelderse Vallei, Zorgbalans Zuiderhout and Buurtzorgpension Zoetermeer, among others. How did they experience this?
Thea Terlouw (Facility Team Leader for Buurtzorgpension Zoetermeer)
You have contacted me to offer cleaning services. Coincidentally it turned out that we needed cleaning immediately because we became a COVID-19 reception location and could not provide the regular cleaning. EW was already on site the next day with two enthusiastic cleaning staff and this went beyond my expectations. We were very satisfied with the cleaning. Good quality, pleasant communication, short lines of communication and agreements that were kept, in addition to that the cleaning staff had a good time together, not unimportantly''.
Jeroen van Zon, Spaarne Gasthuis (Manager Hospitality and facilities company)
When you approached me, I was not unfamiliar with EW. There has been contact with your organisation before. During this last period I have been very satisfied with the cleaning up. Switching was done quickly and the employees have worked to their full satisfaction. For the facilities company, we took on additional work to 'unburden' the care. In addition, many more disinfectants were needed in rooms, which increased the work pressure. EW was able to support this to ensure that the work pressure did not become too high on our current team.
Diana Rodenborg (Contract Manager) of the Gelderse Vallei
"The way in which you pick up the cleaning is heartwarming, professional and involved. The EW staff are not - or not completely - familiar with disinfection, but pick it up quickly and well. In addition to you and your executive colleagues, several people were working for us, which had a positive influence on our colleagues in the hospital. They were given an enormous boost to continue. We are not on our own! I have been working in cleaning for more than 20 years now and have not experienced it like this, the collegiality is great. You people and ours immediately clicked with each other and also had an arrangement during the work. Really big compliments on behalf of CCS and the Gelderse Vallei for all of you.
Dick Treffers of Zorgbalans Zuiderhout
Treffers came to EW through his network. "In my view, your experience in the hotel business and at the casinos in particular fits in with what is needed in the care sector. We were looking for staff on the basis of a 5-day schedule (Mon to Fri) from 09:00-15:00. EW was able to nominate good quality staff within 24 hours. EW has amply met the expectations of me as a customer".
Conclusion
It has been a very intense and difficult period for everyone, but by working with a lot of positivity and thinking along with these temporary clients, our colleagues have really contributed. We are extremely happy that we have been able to help these care institutions in their operations and are very proud of our employees. Strong together, that is and remains the motto!
