Lockdown reflections - staff stories - Susan Rendall

Name: Susan Rendall

Age: 32

From: Kirkwall

Job title: School day cleaner

Years of employment with OIC: I only joined the OIC in October 2020

Duties: My duties are making sure all toilets are clean and sanitised and all bins are emptied. Also all touch points which include door hands/push bars, all hand sanitiser dispensers, all light switches in the corridors and the banisters on the stairs are sanitised Really anywhere I think the children will touch.

How has life changed work wise since lockdown? My work changed through 2nd lockdown with working in hospitality and it closing again. I had to find another job to pay the bills, so I applied for the cleaning job advertised with the Council.

Have you introduced any innovative practice? I haven’t introduced any innovative practice as I have to follow the procedures put in place by building cleaning management.

How has life changed personally since lockdown? My life hasn’t really changed through lockdown to be honest. I’ve just gotten on with it. Yes it’s been hard at times not being able to see family and friends but it was for our own safety.

How have you found the public’s reaction to changes? I don’t deal with the public as such, but all the children and parents have done an amazing job to adapt.

What are you looking forward to most when restrictions end? I’m looking forward to visiting my grandparents again. Going out for a meal with my family and generally getting back to some sort of normality.