Public Storage is Open to Help Customers, While Keeping Employees Safe

Mar 31, 2023 / Public Storage

Now more than ever, Public Storage is open and helping customers in their time of need, with a focus on service and safety. Our leadership is also supporting employees to ensure protections are in place as they continue to provide essential services to our customers.

“There’s a lot of pride working for a company that’s providing services to essential businesses in our community,”; said Tracy Schanzle, a company vice president who oversees locations in the Houston area and still checks in regularly with her team (while maintaining appropriate social distancing, of course).

Around the country, employees are answering the call to help customers going through challenging changes due to COVID-19. Some visitors say they are storing extra items after losing their jobs and moving in with relatives. Others are clearing rooms at home to make space for extended family that’s coming soon.

“I’m so glad we’re here,”; said Schanzle, “because where else could these people go?”;

The company is also a trusted storage option for businesses nationwide that rely on the fact that they can continue to access our sites to run their operations, said Steven Lentin, executive vice president of operations.

“We provide a service to so many essential businesses such as pharmaceutical companies, electricians and plumbers, to help keep these businesses going,”; he said.

Public Storage is About Safety First During COVID-19

For nearly 50 years, we’ve helped people through life transitions and moves for so many reasons. Today, we are continuing that service with adherence to social distancing recommendations in mind.

For instance, hand-shaking is out; six feet of social distancing is in. We allow one customer in the office at a time and post our new rules to make sure everyone follows best social distancing practices.

We’re also stocked up on cleaning supplies, and we wear gloves and wipe our frequent-touch areas throughout the day, just as we are frequently washing our hands these days following the latest CDC guidelines. Managers regularly train and remind employees on cleaning and other safety protocol. We are also encouraging our customers to take advantage of our new online services.

Social Distancing Online and by Phone

You can always reserve online with Public Storage, and in some locations we’re rolling out the option to complete your storage space agreement and move in without checking in with a staff member – a genuine contactless process. Look for the eRental logo on PublicStorage.com in the near future to take advantage of this convenient option.

These days we’re also making it easier than ever to pay without stopping by. You can pay online or by phone through an agent at no charge by calling 866-444-4747.

You can continue to update your account information from the comfort of your home via our website.

Our Public Storage website is also the best place to check hours as we may have to limit office hours due to COVID-19. We’re constantly updating PublicStorage.com with the latest information including temporary rotating closures.

Public Storage Gives Employees the Extra Support they deserve

To help employees directly impacted by COVID-19, we have set up the new PS Cares Fund. It pledges several million dollars in support to employees to cover child care for families whose schools have closed due to COVID-19, and it offers a bridge to team members who can no longer work, and more.

“If you think of how many people aren’t getting a pay check,”; Lentin said. “We’re not doing any layoffs. We’re continuing to be there for the communities we serve, while continuing to offer development opportunities.”;

Longtime employee Roger Clark manages locations in Houston, a community familiar with natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey that bring people together. When employees ask customers “how are you doing, “; they get the same question in return.

“We’re all going through the same thing,”; said Clark, a vice president. “We’re asking employees for sincere care towards the customer. If we have a customer who is anxious, in many cases a kind word from a strong, steady and empathic employee can be reassuring.”;

Public Storage Is Open and Ready to Help with Storage Needs

Almost all of our locations are open for business depending on the advice and guidance of local health experts and government officials. You can check our website for the latest info and any changes to our hours.

We continue to have a diverse family of customers visiting, from single college students to couples hit by sudden shifts in the economy and businesses large and small. You can read more on our blog about how companies use our locations for inventory. These days, owners still stop by daily to pick up supplies to offer needed services, from solving a plumbing issue to fixing wiring in an older home, and more.

“We hear over and over again, 'thank you. We’re so glad you guys are open,'”; Schanzle said.

Good communication is so important for continuing the strong relationships on her team that can ensure a great customer experience.

“Part of that conversation is saying 'this is hard, and it’s hard on our families, and it’s hard on us, ‘”; she said. “But we’ve got to (figuratively) lock arms because we need to be there for the community.”;

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