As a business owner, how much do you think about clutter and cleanliness? You’re more likely to think about marketing strategies, profit and growth, and scalability, among others.
All these are essential, but organization and hygiene in the workplace are just as vital. In fact, they can be a secret to employee happiness. And when you fulfill most of their needs, you can reap good financial rewards.
How Much Does Your Space Need Professional Cleaning?
But why is it so significant to hire professional janitorial services that can drop by your office regularly to clean and arrange your space? These facts provide you with reasons:
1. Your Workplace Is D-I-R-T-Y
Microorganisms, both good and bad, are abundant in the environment, and at least 10 million of them are in the office.
According to studies, an office desk can breed over 10 million bacteria as they feed on scraps from your snacks and lunches (or even breakfasts and dinners). Researches even detected more harmful organisms in a workstation than in the toilet seat. The difference can be a whopping 400 times more germs.
But that’s not all. Germs can linger in every nook and cranny of the office. Studies found them on the sink faucets in the bathroom, microwave handles, and, of course, elevator handles.
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can also reproduce on floors and carpets as shoes, clothes, and bags can bring “environmental objects.” These include pet dander, soil, other organic matter, and a whole lot more.
2. Not Everyone Keeps Their Hands Clean
These germs can multiply FAST the entire time you are in the office, but they spread much faster when there’s constant touching from various people. The easiest, cheapest, simplest, but the most effective solution is to wash hands regularly preferably with soap and water.
The problem is many don’t follow this health protocol. In a YouGov poll participated by over 20,000 US adults, about 10% said they washed their hands after they use the bathroom. Around 4% claimed they rarely do it, while a percentage said it’s never their practice.
When it comes to gender, women were more likely to wash their hands, and yet men account for much of the US workforce.
For those who clean their hands, they may rely more on hand sanitizers than soap, which takes a much longer time to use. However, products that contain less than 60% alcohol may not be effective in their purpose, the CDC said. Some may also contain harmful substances like triclosan.
3. Sickness Is Pricey for the Business
Prolonged exposure to dangerous organisms can increase the risk of sickness in the workplace, and it carries a hefty price tag. It currently costs over $250 billion losses a year for US companies due to absences. It also leads to lower productivity and efficiency and drives disengagement and possibly attrition rates.
The costs are much higher for people with chronic or immunocompromised conditions. They are the ones who are less likely to recover fast from a simple infection and experience worse symptoms even for common illnesses.
How Cleaning Helps the Workplace
Employee satisfaction matters because it increases their level of contentment and happiness. They are more likely to be engaged, and this engagement can translate to the following:
- Higher retention rate and loyalty
- Less physical and mental stress
- Lower opportunity costs due to absenteeism or reduced productivity
- Lower spending on company wellness programs
- More motivated employees
Keeping the office clean, meanwhile, is one of the best ways to boost employee satisfaction. In 2016, a study by the Florida State University revealed that a dirty working environment could have the same negative impact on the cognitive function of employees as a lack of stimulation.
In other words, the researchers found a link between stained floors and grimy desks and reduced ability to process and use information, pay attention, manage their time, and complete their tasks.
On the other hand, a 2009 research by Brigham Young University cited that clean smells could encourage moral behavior. Employees might feel more generous and exercise fairness more often. Both could decrease the instance of workplace conflict, which is one of the leading causes of employee stress.
In the same year, the American College of Cardiology revealed one of the biggest benefits of banning smoking in the workplace. Besides keeping the indoor air clean and reduce the odds of respiratory illnesses, it can also cut down the risks of cardiovascular disease by as much as 26%.
Fortunately, when it comes to cleanliness, everyone can do their part. But one can only do so much, so professional help is necessary.