Office clean up has never been more critical than at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the experts, the end of the pandemic is already in sight. However, we should not let our guard down because we are not there yet.
After all, employees are still exposed to viruses and bacteria even if they are just at their desks. In fact, a study states that the typical office desk has 400 times more germs than a standard toilet seat.
The study further notes the office space surfaces that have high bacteria count. These are the following:
- Elevator buttons
- Items in an office cubicle like:
- Office desks
- Computer mice
- Computer keyboards
- Phones
- Water fountains
- Vending machine buttons
- Break room sink faucet handles
- Microwave door handles
- Refrigerator door handles
Researcher Andrew Naber has confirmed that an average person will spend one-third of their life at work. This is another reason why reminding your employees of office clean up is important.
Why is office clean up necessary?
Below are four reasons to regularly clean the office.
· Decreases absenteeism
A dirty office space may cause the spread of infection among your employees, making them feel sick. Maintaining a clean office helps prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. This will then result in fewer sick days for your employees.
· Increases productivity
A messy and dirty office with a lot of clutter will distract your employees. On the other hand, when they work in a clutter-free and tidy environment, their focus improves. When employees are focused at work, they can produce higher quality of work.
· Improves office morale
Employees feel appreciated when they see that their office is spotless and organized. In addition, they are more inspired and motivated to go to work and fulfill their tasks. It affects their mindset when they see that their office is dignified and respectable because of its cleanliness.
A clean office not only prevents the spread of infection but can also boost employee satisfaction.
· Makes employees happier
Employees with high morale and who are satisfied with their office space are considered happy employees. They spend most of their time in the office, so ensuring they are comfortable can lead to better output.
How can you encourage employees to get involved in office clean up?
Employees must be involved when it comes to maintaining the cleanliness of the office. Office clean up can be as simple as clearing their desks before they log out. It will also be beneficial when you remind them of proper hand hygiene.
Consider the tips below to further encourage your employees to clean up their office space:
· Make a regular schedule for clean-up dates.
You may set aside two days a year to encourage your employees to clean their personal spaces. Cleanup days are usually scheduled at the end of the year or during the summer.
· Remind them that cleanliness leads to general safety.
When your office is clean, there are less chances of sickness among colleagues. Reminding them of proper hygiene will likewise help maintain the overall cleanliness of the office.
For common areas like the pantry, cleaning up after eating helps prevent the spread of germs. Remind them as well about proper ways to store leftovers in the common refrigerator. You may set a note about regular fridge clean out to avoid contamination from spoiled food.
You must also remind your employees about keeping clutter at bay. Everyone must ensure that there is no obstruction to the fire extinguisher and other safety equipment.
Employees should also practice proper storage of office equipment help maintain the quality and longevity of the equipment.
· Provide cleaning supplies
As a small business owner, you can facilitate their office clean up initiatives in many ways. One way is to ensure that cleaning supplies are readily available for your employees.
When cleaning supplies are available, your employees will be motivated to clean their desks. Moreover, seeing the cleaning supplies can act as a visual trigger for keeping their desks tidy.
· Assign the responsibility
It is crucial that cleaning the office does not only fall on one employee’s shoulders. To make the cleanup regular, assign different people on different days.
Depending on the size of your company, you may also opt to assign a group of individuals on a certain space in the office. Distribute the tasks so that your employees will be more willing to participate.
Call Prestige Property Services for regular office clean up.
Maintaining a clean office has a lot of benefits – from health reasons to employee productivity. Therefore, if you are looking for professional cleaning services, look no further than Prestige Property Services.
We have been serving industry-leading companies all over Southern California since 1997. We are a fully licensed, bonded, and insured company so you are definitely in good hands.
Here at Prestige, we know that each office has its own service requirements. Call our office at (714) 224-0301 today, and let our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you.
