How Cleanliness Affects Productivity in the Workplace

Imagine you walk into your workplace and the current condition of the scene catches your attention. There are several desks, each cluttered with a mess of papers, files, and other office supplies. The desktops all have multiple sticky notes framing their monitors and items such as staplers and pens are all scattered about.

The office itself has dust and dirt on the floor, and multiple items are out of place such as water bottles, coffee cups, bags and lunch boxes. The office has a stale smell due to lack of air circulation. Dirt, grease, and other substances have left stains on the walls. Your last observation is that, to your knowledge, the office hasn’t been dusted or vacuumed in a very long time.

You’ve never really taken a step back to observe the condition of the office before. Now, perhaps you’re uncomfortable, grossed out, shocked or even outright frustrated. The question then comes to your mind “How can an office in this condition motivate someone to work harder and be more productive? Doesn’t it have the opposite effect?”

You would be correct in your suspicions and valid in your frustrations. An office in the condition laid out above would be a major distraction and would make it difficult to focus on the tasks you’re paid to perform. A cluttered and unorganized workspace creates frustration and lowers morale, which leads to decreased productivity. Dirty offices are also unprofessional and can create a negative impression with clients and other visitors which hurts the business tremendously.

Maybe it’s time for businesses to give the cleanliness of their offices more of their attention.

The Cleanliness of a Workspace Correlates to Performance

While it’s obvious that a clean and organized environment creates an atmosphere of control and order, it’s not so obvious that it correlates directly to the company’s employee performance. Cleanliness correlates to a company’s overall work ethic and output in the following ways:

● Increased Productivity. Studies have shown that when a workspace is free of clutter, it can help reduce distractions and increase focus, allowing workers to be more productive.

● Improved Safety. A clean and organized workplace can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Clutter can create a hazardous environment, while a clean and organized workplace can help ensure that all safety protocols are followed.

● Enhanced Morale. A clean office helps boost morale, as it can make employees feel more comfortable and appreciated. This can lead to increased motivation and improved performance.

● Cost Savings. Keeping a workspace clean and organized can help reduce costs associated with workplace accidents and injuries. A cluttered workplace can lead to accidents that can cause costly repairs, medical bills, and lost time.

● Improved Customer Service. A clean and organized workplace can also help improve customer service. Customers may be more likely to return to a business that has a clean and organized workspace, as it reflects positively on the company.

These simple benefits will forever change how you, company leaders, and business owners come to appreciate the everyday housekeeper, commercial cleaner, or janitor. These hardworking people have much more impact on a company than meets the eye!

How to Implement Cleaner Practices in Your Workplace

If you are an employee that is eager to see the condition of their workplace shift into something much more orderly and productive, consider having a discussion with your company leader. Alternatively, if you’re the person in charge or the owner of the company, consider these cleaning practices to not only boost your employee’s overall morale, but to increase their productivity significantly:

● Establish a Cleaning Schedule. Create a daily and weekly schedule that outlines specific tasks for keeping the office clean, such as dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms.

● Provide Cleaning Supplies. Make sure all employees have access to the tools necessary for keeping the office clean, such as trash bags, mops, and cleaning chemicals.

● Establish a No-Food Policy. Cut down on messes by eliminating food and drinks from the office and establish an area of the office designated to mealtimes and breaks.

● Utilize Storage Solutions. Find ways to store items in an organized fashion, such as filing cabinets, bookshelves, or storage bins.

● Enforce a Clean Desk Policy. Encourage employees to keep their desks clean and organized. Remind employees to avoid bringing items into the office that they don’t need. Educate employees on the importance of staying organized and keeping the office tidy.

● Regularly Dispose of Trash. Create a reasonable system for regularly disposing of trash and recycling that everyone agrees and adheres to.

● Create an “Inbox”. Designate a physical inbox for incoming paperwork and documents.

● Invest in a Cleaning Service. If your budget allows, consider hiring a cleaning service such as Double Take to help keep your office clean.

Your Business and Employees Deserve the Best

We’ve all heard the common phrase “a team is only as strong as its weakest link.” But what if there isn’t a weak link in the chain of command or in your employee pool? What if the only weak chain in your company is something really quite simple to solve; a cluttered, dirty office environment.

By maintaining a clean and organized workplace, you not only boost productivity but also ensure the safety and well-being of your employees. In case of any injuries or accidents, remember to seek a lawyer consultation for worker’s compensation from ageeclymer.com to protect your workers and your business.

It’s not a ridiculous idea that a cleaner and more organized office will serve your company well in the long run. In fact, studies have shown that a clean and well-organized workspace can lead to increased creativity and productivity, as well as a greater sense of job satisfaction.

Not only that, but a clean office environment can help to improve the health and safety of employees by reducing the spread of germs, dust, and other pollutants. These factors can contribute to a positive work environment that benefits both the company and its employees.

It’s not just your employees that deserve the best work environment. Your business deserves it, too. If your office could use a deep clean followed by routine maintenance cleanings, then your business is also ripe for an increase in productivity, morale, and success!