The rise in e-commerce has led to a rapid increase in new warehouse developments, clearly visible if you drive anywhere on Britain’s motorways. During the run-up to Christmas, these warehouses and distribution centres around the UK will be busier than ever. While technological advances continue to contribute to the automation of some aspects of warehousing and delivery work, a well-trained, motivated workforce is still key to a successful operation. Currently there are hundreds of positions advertised on-line just within the M25 region, with thousands more throughout the rest of the country, showing that companies are eager to fill vacancies.

What can be done to attract a diverse team and retain a happy, constructive workforce? As long ago as 2018, Sheree Atcheson, on Forbes.com (in an article entitled “Embracing Diversity And Fostering Inclusion Is Good For Your Business”) wrote “Organizations must create environments which allow people to bring their whole, true selves to work and understand they can climb the career ladder internally – they should feel a sense of belonging.”

And just last week, the current President of RIBA, Muyiwa Oki, in an interview in The Architects’ Journal, emphasised his commitment “to ensure that workplace and wellbeing is central to businesses”. Architectural workers undoubtedly deserve to work within an inclusive profession and also through their work have a responsibility to create inclusive design.

Warehouses and distribution centres are busy, fast-paced, sometimes noisy environments, where people are working to tight deadlines. They are usually situated away from urban centres and so lack nearby social or cultural facilities. What can an architect, designer or employer do to make everyone feel welcome and part of the workplace community? What can be done to alleviate stress, and thereby improve staff wellbeing? Some staff may appreciate a quiet space where they can get their thoughts straight, where they can have a few peaceful moments to themselves during a busy shift or before an important meeting. For others, this space will need to accommodate their wish to pray, and the requirements for a multi-faith prayer room will be varied, dependent on the religious beliefs of those involved.

Creating a place for quiet contemplation or prayer is not an expensive addition to a workplace design but can make a significant difference to the daily working life of employees.

WuduMate is the world’s leading supplier and innovator of ablution products for prayer and multi-faith rooms and has over fifteen years of specialist experience in this field. What is particularly relevant here, is that since 2017 they have supplied their range of unique footbaths and basins for performing wudu, the Muslim pre-prayer ablution ritual, to a well-known international company for installation in many of its warehouses in both the US and the UK.
The WuduMate Modular and Mobile have always been manufactured by the same high quality factories in the UK. The WuduMate Compact and Classic, manufactured internationally, are both CSA certified, giving the client peace of mind about the products’ quality and longevity.

For images of a wide range of WuduMate installations please see the Gallery section of their website:
https://wudumate.com/category/projects/

For more information about multi-faith room provision in the workplace download WuduMate’s guide Diversity Matters”“