The outbreak of the coronavirus has made us more aware of hygiene and cleanliness. However, as an entrepreneur, it is not something that will come to your mind often. Cleanliness is something you would only look after when things are out of hand. However, maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace is vital.
The cleanliness of a workspace often impacts the health, productivity, and well-being of the employees. Hence, although it is not a fun job, it needs to be done. Here’s how cleaning your office can help your employees and thus your business grow:
The importance of a clean office
You would have heard the popular saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” It’s time to make your workplace clean too.
1. Productivity grows
Cleaning can help increase the overall productivity of your company. Unhygienic and unclean environments can lead to health problems, even more so due to the COVID-19. If the employees get the flu or fall ill due they won’t be able to focus on the work. On top of that, the rate of absenteeism will also increase.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health-related productivity losses are around USD225.8 billion annually. A clean office means healthy and happy employees. Thus, cleaning can directly impact the well-being of an employee, and thereby overall productivity.
2. Promote brands image
Do you wear dirty clothes to a meeting? No, right? That’s because clean and tidy clothes indicate professionalism. You will always want to look well while going to a meeting. The same is the case with your office. If the workplace is not cleaned appropriately, it creates a poor brand image.
Having a neat office space will promote your brand’s impression amongst the employees and any visitors.
3. Improves air quality
Germs can travel more quickly in an indoor environment. Thus, it can have more impact in your office than in the outdoors. If you don’t clean the workplace, it becomes much easier for germs and viruses to enter your employees’ bodies. Also, the dirt accumulated due to non-cleaning can travel in the air causing respiratory issues to your staff.
How to keep your office clean
While the benefits are tempting, it is not easy to maintain a clean workspace. Here are some steps that can help you have a clean and hygienic office.
1. Cleaning equipment
You might have hired cleaning staff to ensure timely maintenance. But what’s equally important is to provide them with the right equipment. If you don’t already have them, get the basic supplies that will make your life easier. For instance, you can get mops, broom, wipes, and shop for rags in bulk.
Having the essential equipment is the primary facility that will enable your employees to take care of minor cleaning problems themselves. They can use the wipes to clean their desks regularly.
2. Motivate your employees
No matter how hard you try, all the efforts will go in vain if the employees don’t take care of cleanliness at the smaller level. Something as simple as cleaning their desks, cabinets, or drawers can go a long way.
You can take initiatives to conduct events or training programs to promote cleanliness. Such programs can help motivate your employees to ensure cleanliness and safety at a personal level. For instance, workplace hand hygiene programs can impact employees’ absenteeism, practices, perceptions, and health care insurance costs.
3. Target public areas
Public areas such as toilets, pantries, and waiting spaces are the most unhygienic places. For example, a pantry’s countertop will have many tea and coffee spills. Similarly, the tables will have many food crumbs. These places are shared by several people and can quickly make your employees ill if not cleaned thoroughly.
The best way to go around this is by cleaning these places almost every day, if possible twice a day, depending on the number of employees. Get the public areas vacuumed and then broomed through every corner. Once the dust is out, get these places mopped.
4. Promote desk cleaning
Take all the measures to prevent employees’ desks from getting dirty. You might need to even take some harsh actions such as no food on desk policy. If you have a cafeteria, ask the employees to take their food breaks in the cafeteria. Even if you don’t have a cafeteria, dedicate some space for lunch breaks. Whatever it takes, ask the employees to leave their desk for having food. Similarly, you can also request them to clean their desk before leaving the office.
A clean and hygienic working space helps your employees stay happier and focus more on their daily tasks. That said, it will ultimately help increase your business revenue. On top of that, it becomes a welcoming space for your employees, clients, and vendors. Follow the above tips and keep your office clean to leverage the benefits.
