We’ve long understood the importance of a clean office for enhancing the work environment, but recent studies have now proved it.

One study in particular, ‘The Impact of Cleanliness on the Productivity of Employees’, which studied the influence of work environment cleanliness on employee productivity in The Netherlands, found:

“Higher objective cleanliness correlates significantly with higher perceived productivity of employees working in office environments … and also with a higher work satisfaction level … A significant correlation is found between the satisfaction of employees with their work as a whole and the perceived productivity; higher satisfaction leads to higher productivity.”

To put that into plain language: clean offices make employees happier and more productive at work.

 

Leisure at Work Boosts Productivity

The last couple of decades have seen some significant changes in office environments, not least because more data has come to light that demonstrates the major influence of the environment on productivity and on reducing staff turnover. Cubicle offices have declined massively in favour of open-plan spaces, whilst up-and-coming companies have invested in leisure spaces, with facilities such as pool and ping pong tables, gaming consoles and even on-site bars! The results of these changes have proved highly positive, with companies that provide leisure facilities on-site boasting significant gains in employee satisfaction and productivity.

However, providing a beautiful office with lots of facilities is all very well, but if the office is dirty, cluttered and disorderly, spending money on cool stuff and attractive spaces is a waste. Investing in good cleaning services is an investment that will pay for itself.

 

What Else Can I Do To Improve Productivity And Employee Satisfaction?

A recent Forbes article looked at the WELL Building Standard™, which advice on standards to implement and measure ways to improve health and wellness. According to WELL, there are seven main factors that influence employee wellbeing:

• Air quality
• Water
• Nourishment
• Light
• Fitness
• Comfort
• Mind

These are a few tips you may like to implement, alongside a clean office environment, to boost your employees’ productivity and happiness:

• Research carried out by the World Green Building Council recorded an 11% increase in productivity as a result of increased fresh air to the workstation and a reduction in pollutants. Add office plants, air filtration, open windows and develop a green cleaning protocol, keeping the office clutter- and germ-free.
• Access to plenty of fresh, safe drinking water improves the ability to focus, energy levels, and clarity of mine. Install a water cooler and educate employees on these benefits of staying hydrated.
• What your employees eat has a major influence on their focus and productivity. Provide fresh fruit and vegetables in the office and foster mindful eating with dedicated eating spaces.
• A study conducted by the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell showed that employees seated within 10 feet of a window reported an 84% decrease in eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision symptoms. Natural light is better for employee health, but even being able to see the great outdoors is shown to make employees happier.
• Encourage employees to be fit and healthy with things like a bike to work scheme, shower facilities, adjustable workstations and open and accessible stairways.
• Provide employees with different places and ways to work. Some people prefer to stand than sit at their desks, whilst others prefer the opportunity to be able to move to a sofa or beanbag. Some employees work better in quiet areas, whilst others need a bit of noise and bustle. Variety in the office is good for everyone.
• Incorporate clean, tidy outdoor spaces wherever possible and offer workplace flexibility, with remote working and flexible hours.

 

Good Office Cleaning Reduces Sick Days

It’s not just satisfaction to be gained from a clean office. Did you know that the average office desk contains nearly 400 times as much bacteria as a toilet seat? One Australian study found that sick employees cost the country $5.4 billion a year in lost earnings. Keeping the workplace hygienic can also save your company a significant sum of money, and keep that productivity high.

 

Finding A Good Office Cleaning Contractor

To get the full benefit of a good office clean, you should seek an office cleaning provider that is best equipped to offer the level of office cleanliness to a standard that is effective. Choose an experienced office cleaning company that has a good existing client base and which goes the extra mile to make your office sparkle.

 

Putting the needs of your workforce first is what being a good HR Manager is all about. The environment in which staff are expected to work is a crucial part of this. So take steps to create a cleaner, more vibrant environment, and see that productivity soar! What’s more, you’ll save your company a lot of money lost on sick days and on recruiting new staff. The studies we looked at above tended to find that employees stay longer with companies that take their wellbeing into account through the environment they offer – so making this your priority is a key part of HR success!