Office employees spend most of their time every day in the office. Some even have to work late until night and even work during the weekend! Thus, it is safe to say that for some employees their office is a second home. As a leader, you should pay attention to how to maintain office cleanliness for a better comfort to the employees.
The Importance of Maintaining Clean Office Areas
Given the amount of time spent in the office, companies need to create a comfortable work environment for their employees. Thus why office cleanliness must always be maintained.
A clean office area is the start of a healthy work environment. With a clean office environment, employees won’t get sick easily, because the types of diseases related to cleanliness, such as respiratory problems, stomach aches, and dengue fever, can be avoided.
A clean office environment can also have a positive impact on work productivity. This is because employees will feel comfortable and able to work more optimally in a clean environment.
Signs of Compromised Office Hygiene
At a glance, your office area might look okay and clean enough. But this can trick you. Your office might look tidy, but upon closer inspection, you might finally realize that the area is not as clean as you think. Here are the major signs that your office hygiene has been compromised.
You can find many pests in the office
If you often see cockroaches, ants, or mosquitoes around the office area, this is a sign that they have reproduced at an alarming rate. The presence of pests can indicate a decline in office cleanliness level. Thus, if many pests breed in the office environment, you must take action immediately.
Employee health is disturbed
Unclean office areas usually will affect employee health, especially for people who have dust allergies or asthma. Their allergic reaction could appear due to dust and dirt that has accumulated in the workspace. If you notice that many of your employees are taking sick leave, this can be an alarm bell for you to start inspecting what might be the cause. Is it because your office is unclean?
The Benefit of Maintaining Office Cleanliness
Office cleanliness importance is sometimes underestimated by many. There are those who judge that a clean office area has no direct correlation with work productivity.
The importance of maintaining office cleanliness must be instilled in employees and all occupants of the office. Because the benefit of a clean office will do wonders for all.
Better air quality
An office area that is cleaned regularly will be free of invisible air pollutants. Thus, the quality of the air the employees breathe while in the workspace will improve. This will also help to maintain employees’ health better.
Maximize productivity
People will feel more productive and enthusiastic when working in a clean and comfortable place. Conversely, they will not feel comfortable working in a dirty place for too long. Therefore it is important to maintain office cleanliness for better productivity. When the work environment is clean and everything is neatly arranged, creative ideas tend to emerge easily.
Reducing number of accidents at work
When cleanliness has become the lifestyle of all employees in the office, occupational safety and health will be created. As a result, it will minimize accidents and injuries in the workplace, such as slipping or falling on a wet floor.
Increase comfort
It is undeniable, the cleanliness of the workspace can increase comfort. When an employee feels comfortable staying at the office, their performance tends to be better.
How to Create a Clean and Healthy Office Environment.
Here are some simple ways to create a clean and healthy office area.
Clean the workspace regularly
The main solution to the cleanliness problem is to clean it regularly. Keep in mind that employees can’t be relied on to clean the office. They are the driving wheel of the company and have their own responsibility. That’s why a company needs to hire a janitor to do it, or a professional office cleaner to maintain the cleanliness of the workspace.
Keep the floor carpet clean
The office usually utilizes carpet inside the area to make it more professional looking. But keep in mind that rooms with carpeted floors need more attention. This is because the dirt from the outside can easily stick to the carpet when someone enters the room.
To ensure that your carpet does not get dirty very easily, or become the place for viruses and germs to breed, you have to clean and disinfect a carpet frequently.
Place a green plant in the corner of the room
The green color might look cool and can give a touch of nature. But more than that, if used properly, plants can also help produce oxygen while adding freshness to the room. This is an effective way to decorate and maintain your office area’s air quality.
Just like in your home, you want your office to be clean, have a good smell, and emanate comfiness. Thus, even when employees have to work long hours, they won’t be uncomfortable or easily get frustrated. After all, a clean and tidy office is the ultimate key to improving employees’ productivity!
