Keeping your office space clean and tidy has significant benefits for your business. For HR leaders, focusing on office hygiene and cleanliness is one of the most impactful yet overlooked investments you can make.
According to numerous studies, clean and well-organised work environments boost employee productivity, satisfaction and can enhance staff retention and encourage employees to come in more. When employees have a pleasant space to work in, they’re more engaged, focused and motivated to perform at their best.
Higher staff retention levels
Staff spend a significant portion of their lives at work, so the office environment has a huge impact on their happiness, health, and wellbeing. Dirty or untidy workspaces and unwelcome office kitchens can lead to poor morale, higher stress and absenteeism, as well as lower loyalty. We spend so much time at work that it’s important to provide a clean and hygienic environment.
Greater comfort from fewer allergens
When businesses invest in high-quality cleaning, it has a very positive effect on employee satisfaction and retention. Staff feel respected and supported when employers prioritise factors like hygiene, health and safety.
A clean office environment promotes staff health, comfort and productivity by reducing exposure to allergens, germs and pollutants that can irritate staff who suffer with hayfever and similar allergies. Places of work contain many areas where microbes, dust and other irritants can build up over time, such as carpets, upholstery, air vents, cabinets and shelves which require regular cleaning to prevent the accumulation of allergens and spread of viruses.
Deep cleaning office spaces eliminates health hazards through disinfecting surfaces and sanitising the sources of pollutants. This approach reduces employee exposure to germs, viruses and allergens which can lead to sick days, allergic reactions and contagious illnesses being passed between staff.
Minimising pollutants and allergens in the office has significant benefits for health, wellbeing and productivity. Staff take fewer sick days when viruses and other contagions are eradicated through professional cleaning and hygiene measures.
A boost to productivity
A clean and orderly office leads directly to higher productivity and performance. When employees have a pleasant, hygienic space to work in, they can focus better and maintain concentration, which translates to improved task efficiency, problem solving and decision making.
Clutter and mess in the workplace reduce our cognitive capacity making it difficult to focus on critical tasks or issues that require creative thinking. When businesses commit to frequent cleaning services, employees can focus on work by removing physical and mental distractions.
A positive effect on a company’s bottom line
Tidy workplaces have a positive impact on a business’ bottom line. Increased revenue adds up to a strong ROI from investing in professional cleaning services, because businesses don’t need to deal with lost profits from absenteeism. Prevention is definitely better than cure when it comes to staff illness, particularly where your profits are concerned. Clean work environments promote good health and wellbeing which reduce business costs in terms of health expenditure, such as lower insurance premiums and less money spent on sick pay.
There’s also the competitive advantage that a clean, optimised workspace offers. It helps your business stand out and signals to clients and customers that you operate in a professional, efficient manner with high standards. This polished image makes your company an attractive option over competitors with unhygienic or disorganised offices which appear inept or untrustworthy.
Maintaining a clean office environment
To maintain a clean and hygienic workplace and cut down on staff sick days, businesses should consider Investing in professional cleaning services for deep cleans. Regular cleaning isn’t just important for brand reputation, it also directly correlates to staff wellbeing, productivity and morale.
From increasing ventilation and providing regular deep cleans to making sure staff play their part in a clean office, the following tips, therefore, will help to improve profits and protect your staff’s health as we head into the cold/flu season.
- Choose an open-plan office layout.
- Opt for minimal clutter to make cleaning easier.
- Provide hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.
- Promote a clean desk policy.
- Increase ventilation and air purification.
Enhancing your office environment through thorough, regular cleaning translates into a powerful competitive edge and noticeable cost benefits. While the costs of a cleaning contract may seem unnecessary in relation to other expenses, the ROI from higher productivity, healthcare savings and client growth far outweigh the initial outlay.