Cleanliness and Productivity; More Related Than You Might Think

There are many types of workplaces: offices, shops, warehouses, retail outlets, the list goes on. One thing they all have in common is entropy. Things get messy, they get cluttered. Dust settles on surfaces and floors get dirty. And let’s not even discuss that break room microwave.

But does that really affect the work your employees do?

It almost certainly does, and on numerous levels. Maintaining a clean workplace can make a big difference to your bottom line.

Cleanliness and Employee Health

If you’re like most business owners, you know that the fewer sick days your employees need to take, the more smoothly things operate. Sick days are costly. When you’re short on staff or relying on temps to fill in for sick employees, your organization is not running at peak efficiency.

A clean workplace results in fewer allergens and irritants in the air. When doorknobs, light switches and other surfaces are regularly wiped down, fewer viruses and other germs can lurk. A well-maintained kitchen or break area results in fewer food-borne illnesses.

Staff Morale in a Clean Workplace

In addition to enjoying better health, employees who spend their workday in a clean environment are happier to come to work and more willing to stay late. When the kitchen receives regular cleaning, fewer workers leave the building for lunch—and are less likely to return to their workstation late. Put simply, few people are happy in a dusty, grubby or stale-smelling space.

Office Equipment and Electronics

In addition to your workers, your equipment, machinery and electronics prefer a clean workspace. Dust, in particular, can shorten the life of office and other equipment. Computers and other electronics are particularly vulnerable to dust contamination. You can greatly extend the useful life of your equipment with a program of regular cleaning.

Dust, lint and debris can clog cooling fans, causing overheating and failures. Sweat, body oils and food residue can cause touch screens to become temperamental and keyboards to stick. While this may seem a minor annoyance, imagine how multiple short delays add up to lost hours over the course of a workweek. Your business can only run as fast as its people and equipment can function.