How to convince a work place to install showers/dryroom/storage

[sabian92]

2 grand is bloopy cheap for a shower set up as described

But 2K for something not everybody would get use out of is not cheap. 2K for 1 or 2 guys to have a quick shower when they ride to work (and if it's only 2 or 3 times a week that's even less cost effective).

Don't get me wrong - i'm all for riding to work but an employer shouldn't have to fork out for 1 or 2 people just because they choose to ride a bike, which is why I mentioned about doing a deal with a local gym. If it was 10 or 20 people, maybe that would be a lot more considerable.

 

[Typhon]

At my work place the smokers have a nice undercover area with seating for smoking.

The "bike rack" is a 1970's wheel wrecker, with no cover in a far corner amongst the nettles.

Showers

It boggles the mind that in this day and age, companies would rather provide facilities for smokers than cyclists. What a world.

 

[pally83]

It boggles the mind that in this day and age, companies would rather provide facilities for smokers than cyclists. What a world.

I used to work somewhere similar. 650 employees, many of whom lived within what they deemed cycling or walking distance but most drove because of no facilities.

The smokers shelter and bike rack got swapped around at one point to give the smokers more protection.

The excuse for no showers was that the company was leasing the building so couldn't make modifications.

 

[byegad]

I worked for an employer who had showers in most toilet areas and some drying areas for cyclists and runners. It was a very big site employing several thousand people. I used their shower every time I cycled in and felt it was deserved as I was freeing up a space in the huge and overfull car park. I did sometimes have to hang my gear over the back of my chair to dry but not often!

 

[subaqua]

But 2K for something not everybody would get use out of is not cheap. 2K for 1 or 2 guys to have a quick shower when they ride to work (and if it's only 2 or 3 times a week that's even less cost effective).

Don't get me wrong - i'm all for riding to work but an employer shouldn't have to fork out for 1 or 2 people just because they choose to ride a bike, which is why I mentioned about doing a deal with a local gym. If it was 10 or 20 people, maybe that would be a lot more considerable.

so people who don't cycle to work have no need and would not use a shower at work? On my last site the shower was provided for 4 cyclists and we ended up queing in morning as more people took up cycling, some started to run to work and some people used it as a convenience. it was also great in th eevenings if there was a works function as it meant being able to get a shower after work.

 

[sabian92]

so people who don't cycle to work have no need and would not use a shower at work? On my last site the shower was provided for 4 cyclists and we ended up queing in morning as more people took up cycling, some started to run to work and some people used it as a convenience. it was also great in th eevenings if there was a works function as it meant being able to get a shower after work.

If you shower at home and drive to work, the drive doesn't make you sweaty does it? A function at work is a rarity compared to how often you actually go to work.

It's all well and good if people take up cycling to work - I'm all for it but if it stays at 1 or 2 people 2/3 times a week then it's a bit of a waste. The only way to make sure it would be used would be to get a lot more staff to be behind it.

The college I go to doesn't even have showers and that's on a campus of over a thousand. The gym over the road does and I use theirs as I'm a member but that isn't the point. They're a bit minging as well to be honest, but It's either that or go back to college after dinner and stink for another 4 hours.

 

[subaqua]

If you shower at home and drive to work, the drive doesn't make you sweaty does it? A function at work is a rarity compared to how often you actually go to work.

It's all well and good if people take up cycling to work - I'm all for it but if it stays at 1 or 2 people 2/3 times a week then it's a bit of a waste. The only way to make sure it would be used would be to get a lot more staff to be behind it.

The college I go to doesn't even have showers and that's on a campus of over a thousand. The gym over the road does and I use theirs as I'm a member but that isn't the point. They're a bit minging as well to be honest, but It's either that or go back to college after dinner and stink for another 4 hours.

lets see then 5/7 ths of my week is work of that i am in work for approx 10 hours thats close to 50% of my time . catch 22 then isn't it- if you don't provide people won't do it , without people doing it its not worth doing.

 

[HorTs]

Thanks for all your input, many thanks.
I'll let you know what happens.

 

[jonny jeez]

Organisations with over a certain number of staff (I can't recall the number) .

I'm afraid they dont.

The only building codes relating to wash rooms and the like focus on the number of loos per head count (1 per 25 staff and the like) there is no building code requirement for provision of showers and changing facilities.

That said, the list of statutory and technical requirement for the shower (if it is built) is long. Just the abbreviations sound costly;
DDA,
HSE,
VESDA
M&E

bottom line is, a "proper" shower will indeed cost upwards of £20k to install (for an office of say 100 staff) and will increase exponentially for every 100 more staff.

I think the only option would be a porta cabin and I have been quoted £2000 for a unit with 3 showers and dry room/storage.

Have any of you done this before?

If it needs to work, then it needs proper design and investment otherwise you'll be buying a very expensive stationary cupboard. I've seen porta cabin solutions in the past but mainly for site workers and mainly as a temporary measure, Not sure I would enjoy walking through the car park in the rain and snow carrying my suit and clothes just so I can shower. I'd feel like I was in a camp site. Likewise I would expect the cost of heating and drying a cabin (enough to stop clothes becoming mildewy if left in lockers) will provide a massive contingent liability. In short, that sounds like a project failure waiting to happen. Best to try and squeeze it into the main building.

PS, I design and construct commercial interiors, its my day job, PM me if you want any more advice.

 

[jonny jeez]

As with most companies, my employer isn't really interested in anything unless it saves them money.

truse of most...or as G2 says below

It all depends on the size of company and what they deem to be 'costly'.

Whilst the cost of the 'equipment' in terms of a portacabin is low, I agree that the cost of installation could be high. You would then need to be sure that it is maintained properly and believe me that this is another problem all together.

In my opinion, as a Company Director, you need to get someone senior on your side. The benefits as mentioned by Tony are very good and worth promoting in any company.

But in my opinion I would also look at what is likely to be a lower cost addition of a shower in existing toilet facilities. Or adjacent to existing toilet facilities. Perhaps the 'cyclists' and 'runners' amongst you are or have experience at building these sort of things. Or you have a friendly family member who could help out. This way the company is only providing the space and hardware.

If I was to look at this as a project, the first thing I would do is look at the logistics of installing internally. Then arrange a meeting of all the 'healthy' types in the company to work out how you could find 'lower' costs ways of implementing it. Do this planning correctly and if your company has the budget, you might find yourself in a good position to get this done and as a by product be watched for future promotion!

But be warned, if you showcase this and it fails you will also be watched for future redundancy

Perhaps try not to focus on cyclists (your management team may think little of them) and focus on those who run at lunchtime, do Yoga in the board room (more and more popular these days) or need to freshen up for that important presentation (which will make money).

£20k for 5 years worth of return is little to ask for all of this.

Unfortunately with square footage costs being so expensive, your company is more likely to place "people" in the space where a shower could go as people generally create revenue and showers don't (arguably).

Perhaps focus on the bigger picture and involve your colleges with some form of poll. But be warned, fighting this through if it is neither wanted nor needed will result in a failure that you most likely don't need to be associated with.

Be sure it's not just you who wants it.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

What do you propose to offer your non-cycling colleagues?

fresher air in the office I would have thought

 

[gambatte]

, I design and construct commercial interiors, its my day job, PM me if you want any more advice.

What about the factories act and facilities for drying clothes, not used in the course of work?

 

[jonny jeez]

What about the factories act and facilities for drying clothes, not used in the course of work?

Industrial not commercial

 

[cloggsy]

Does your employer offer the cycle to work scheme?

 

[Archie_tect]

At my work place the smokers have a nice undercover area with seating for smoking

Showers

Sounds a perfect place to store bikes...