Cleaner
OCSThe Breakroom Take
- Recommended by students
- Respectful managers
About OCS
OCS is a facilities management company. Their services include catering, cleaning, front-of-house and waste management.
Job description from OCS
About The Company:
OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with a turnover of £1.7bn and 50,000+ colleagues. We deliver innovative, award-winning services to the public and private sectors and our mission is to make people and places the best they can be.
This role sits within our Cleaning business division that provides cleaning and hygiene services to a wide range of prestigious clients, within the Retail & Leisure market.
Working at OCS is more than just a job; it's an amazing opportunity to begin or expand your career in Facilities Management. OCS has an ambition to become an 'Employer of choice' in our sector and is proud to invest in our colleague's personal and professional development. OCS provides our colleagues with opportunities to gain qualifications through funded development programmes aligned to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours attached to their roles.
About The Role:We are currently recruiting for a Cleaner to support our client's site. As a Cleaner at OCS, you will play a crucial role in providing safe, clean environments in which our customers can thrive in their workspaces.Your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Tidying up work areas, cleaning floors and communal areas.
- Vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, emptying bins and other tasks as required.
- You may come into regular contact with customers so you must be able to assist them if needed.
- You must complete all relevant Health & Safety records and attend training courses when needed.
The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:
- You must have Right to Work in the UK.
- A background in cleaning would be advantageous.
- Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing tasks.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in joining a business that encourages professional development, career progression and the chance to work with inspirational people then please click apply and register your interest! You can also sign up to our job alerts when registering which will notify you when other suitable vacancies are available.
We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
Job insights from Breakroom
Cleaners and domestics
Cleaners carry out general cleaning of offices, shops and homes.
What you’ll do as a cleaner and domestic:
- Do general cleaning in industrial buildings, offices or homes
- Clean cars or gardens
- Follow Health and Safety guidelines
- Vacuum carpets, clean upholstery and clean bathrooms
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Heavy lifting
- Physical activity
- Wearing a uniform
- Night work
- Long hours
- Anti-social hours
- Cleaning
- Working alone
- Wearing a uniform
Map
Reading, Berkshire
What employees say
Pay
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Needs improving
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Most people aren’t paid a living wage
Do OCS pay cleaners enough to live on?
Most people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
70% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.00 per hour, and £13.15 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Okay
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do OCS pay cleaners market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
41% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do cleaners at OCS get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
84% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do OCS pay cleaners sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
77% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 43 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Good
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Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do cleaners at OCS do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
68% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do cleaners get of their shift pattern at OCS?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 81% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 6% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 13% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and October 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do cleaners at OCS worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
73% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do cleaners at OCS get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
42% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 45 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Needs improving
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Hard to change shifts
How easy is it for cleaners at OCS to change shifts?
Most people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
73% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 26 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Okay
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Can be hard to book holiday
How easy is it for cleaners to book a holiday at OCS?
Some people find it hard to book holiday.
How we know this
39% of people report it’s hard to book holidays.Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Good
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Shifts don’t get changed at short notice
Do OCS managers change cleaners shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
86% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for cleaners to take sick leave at OCS?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
43% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working as cleaners at OCS good if you have caring responsibilities?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
50% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and August 2024.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do cleaners at OCS feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
40% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do cleaners at OCS get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
38% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for cleaners to work at OCS?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
70% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do cleaners at OCS enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
59% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do cleaners at OCS recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
59% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do cleaners get enough training when they start at OCS?
Some people did’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
40% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get support to progress
Are cleaners given support to progress at OCS?
Most people aren’t given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 72% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 43 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do cleaners think OCS head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
88% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 43 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do cleaners feel well informed about how OCS is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
87% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What OCS employees say about their job
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Best thing
Good team
Worst thing
It’s unsafe because needs to be / cleaners on a ward
OCS Domestic cleaner, September 2024
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Best thing
Easy to get too easy work
Worst thing
Not getting paid sick pay having to have unpaid hours working all through the summer holidays
OCS Cleaner, August 2024
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