Fun Fact: One-third of your life is spent at work.

The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, according to Naber (2007). That’s a significant chunk of our time, and the environment where we spend plays a substantial role in our overall well-being. Considering the significant amount of time dedicated to our professional pursuits, promoting a healthy and positive work environment that prioritises workplace hygiene becomes imperative. 

Maintaining proper workplace hygiene is essential for ensuring the health and safety of employees, as well as promoting a positive and professional environment. By incorporating practices that ensure cleanliness and minimise the spread of germs, alongside initiatives that promote employee well-being, we can cultivate a work environment that not only safeguards employee health but also fuels productivity, satisfaction, and overall organisational success.

In addition, the workplace – where we spend a significant part of our lives is where ideas spark, deadlines loom, and hopefully, a sense of accomplishment thrives. But beyond the professional aspects, the work environment also plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. 

Here’s where workplace hygiene and wellness come into play.

Understanding Workplace Hygiene

Workplace hygiene goes beyond keeping the office tidy. It’s a multi-pronged approach that encompasses practices to prevent the spread of germs, maintain a clean and organised space, and ensure overall sanitation. This includes individual efforts like regular hand washing and proper cough etiquette, as well as broader measures like keeping workstations and shared equipment sanitised, maintaining clean restrooms and common areas, and implementing proper waste disposal procedures. 

According to the study published in the National Institutes of Health, the workplace environment greatly impacts the performance of employees. The study reveals that employees who are satisfied with their work environment, which includes factors like cleanliness and hygiene, are more likely to have positive work output.  

By prioritising these practices, we create a work environment that’s not only pleasant to be in but also minimises the risk of illness, promotes the health and well-being of everyone in the office, and ultimately contributes to a more productive and successful workforce.

Specifically, workplace hygiene encompasses below practices:

• Personal Hygiene

Employees practising good personal hygiene, like regular handwashing, using cough etiquette, and maintaining a clean appearance, significantly reduce the spread of germs.

• Workstation Cleanliness

Keeping desktops, keyboards, and shared equipment sanitised minimises germ transmission.

• Building Cleanliness

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the building as a whole including common spaces, and high-traffic areas. Specifically, a two-pronged approach is crucial: 

• Regular cleaning and disinfection of common areas and high-touch surfaces are essential to minimise germ transmission throughout the workplace.
• Meticulous cleaning and disinfection of restrooms are paramount to maintaining a sanitary environment and preventing the spread of germs.

Consider hiring a professional restroom cleaning service provider to ensure a consistent and deep clean that meets a superior level of cleanliness and hygiene in your restrooms.

• Proper Waste Management

Disposing of garbage and recyclables properly prevents unpleasant odours and pest infestations.

The Power of a Clean and Healthy Workplace

An article published in Facility Management (FM) magazine includes a study that says, poor office hygiene genuinely impacted the overall job satisfaction of 7 out of 10 office workers. These figures highlight the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy workplace environment. A clean workplace not only reduces the risk of illness and absenteeism but also contributes to a more positive and productive atmosphere. 

Their study also reveals that 40% of employees believe that better workplace hygiene would improve job satisfaction. Employees are more likely to feel valued and motivated in a space that is well-maintained and free of health hazards. Employers who prioritise workplace hygiene demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their staff, leading to higher morale and increased job satisfaction.

A clean and healthy workplace offers valuable benefits for both employees and businesses, including:

• Less illness, reducing absences
• Improved focus, leading to higher productivity
• Boosted morale, resulting in greater employee and customer satisfaction
• More positive first impressions
• A safer work environment

Beyond Cleanliness: Fostering Workplace Wellness

The workplace environment plays an important role in shaping the behaviour of individual employees, this can be harnessed to increase productivity, thus improving business performance (Zenjing et al., 2022)

This concept of workplace wellness requires a holistic approach that considers not only physical surroundings but also mental and emotional well-being. By creating a supportive and stimulating work environment, organisations can empower employees to thrive, leading to a more productive and engaged workforce.

Here’s how to cultivate a wellness-oriented work environment:

• Work-Life Balance

Encouraging flexible work arrangements, breaks, and time off fosters a healthy detachment from work and prevents burnout.

• Mental Health Awareness

The Australian Government through Jobaccess.gov reveals that untreated mental health conditions cost Australian workplaces $10.9 billion per year. There is indeed a need for businesses to take action which may include promoting resources and open communication about mental health can help employees cope with stress and anxiety. 

Investing in mental health awareness programs fosters a more supportive work environment and reduces stigma, leading to a healthier and more productive workforce.

• Healthy Habits

Encouraging breaks for physical activity, stretching, or healthy snacks can improve energy levels and focus.

• Social Connection

Creating opportunities for team building and social interaction can combat feelings of isolation and promote camaraderie.

• Ergonomics

Providing ergonomic furniture and workstations helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders caused by repetitive tasks or poor posture.

• Maintaining Workplace Cleanliness

Maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment is crucial for overall well-being.  Especially restrooms, where germs can proliferate rapidly, regular deep cleaning is essential to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. Properly sanitised restrooms not only reduce health risks but also enhance the comfort and satisfaction of both employees and visitors.

By partnering with a professional restroom cleaning service, businesses can ensure a consistently high standard of office cleanliness, allowing employees to focus on their work and stay healthy, leading to workplace wellness for everyone.

The Benefits of a Healthy Work Environment:

The physical and behavioural aspects are the two facets of a healthy working climate (Zhenjing et al., 2022). The prior refers to the employees’ physical interaction with their workspace, while behavioural norms are shaped by the workplace environment, influencing employees’ performance.

Investing in workplace hygiene and wellness is more than just keeping employees healthy; it’s also a strategic investment in your company’s success. Here are some of the benefits:

• Reduced Absenteeism

A clean and healthy environment leads to fewer illnesses and decreased absenteeism. A study revealed that employees in clean work environments took 24% fewer sick days on average. Workplace wellness and better hygiene translate to a healthier workforce resulting in a more productive organisation.

• Improved Morale

A positive work environment with a focus on well-being boosts employee morale and satisfaction.

• Increased Productivity

Employees who feel well and comfortable tend to be more focused and productive. In the same study by Zhenjing et al., (2022), employees in an unstable and unhealthy atmosphere are at risk of occupational sickness, impacting both their productivity and the organisation’s overall performance.

Therefore, fostering a healthy work environment not only boosts productivity but also enhances employee well-being and organisational success in the long run.

• Enhanced Employee Retention

When employees feel valued and their well-being is considered, they’re more likely to stay with the company.

• Reduced Costs

By preventing mould-related illness and absences, boosting productivity, lowering healthcare expenses, and decreasing employee turnover, businesses can experience a positive financial ripple effect from a clean and healthy work space.

A healthy workforce translates to lower healthcare premiums, absenteeism, and workers’ compensation claims for businesses, while also saving employees on medical expenses. It’s a win-win for both.

Hygiene Tips: For Maintaining a Healthy Workplace

Maintaining a clean and hygienic work environment requires attention to detail across various areas. Here are some tips that businesses should implement to promote better workplace hygiene.

• Personal Hygiene

Encourage employees to practise good personal hygiene like regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and maintaining a clean appearance. 

These practices can greatly help in preventing the spread of disease, (Dehury et al., 2022). Proper hand hygiene and sanitation, and clean personal clothing are the most effective measures to control and prevent infections in the workplace.

• Workstation Cleanliness

The same study by Dehury et al. reveals the link between employee health and workplace hygiene, as bacteria and viruses can linger on surfaces, tools, and equipment in the workplace. 

It is therefore important to promote regular cleaning and disinfection of desks, keyboards, phones, and other shared equipment, to minimise the risk of illness transmission and maintain a safe work environment.

• Building Cleanliness

Implement a regular cleaning schedule for common areas like break rooms, meeting rooms, and hallways. This includes thorough cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and elevator buttons.

• Maintaining Clean Restrooms

Regular and meticulous cleaning of restrooms is crucial to prevent the spread of germs. Partner with a professional cleaning service or designate a responsible team member to ensure restrooms are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day, with a focus on high-touch surfaces like faucets, toilets, and stall handles.

To ensure the highest standards of workplace hygiene, partnering with Impact Hygiene for your restroom cleaning needs is essential. Our Impact Clean™ service utilises a powerful, fast, and safe deep cleaning process through innovative equipment proven to be up to 60 times more effective than regular cleaning tools.

We support your efforts to maintain a clean and safe workplace in the best way possible. Contact us today: 1800 494 369 | https://impacthygiene.net/contact-us

In addition, here are more tips for promoting workplace wellness to create a healthy working environment:

• Provide readily available hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.
• Encourage employees to stay home when they’re sick.
• Promote proper ventilation and air quality in the workspace.
• Offer on-site fitness classes or gym memberships as a benefit.
• Organise healthy potlucks or team lunches to promote healthy eating habits.
• Host stress-reduction workshops or provide access to mindfulness resources.
• Recognise and reward employees who actively participate in wellness initiatives.

Remember:

A healthy and hygienic workplace is a collaborative effort. By working together, employers and employees can create a thriving environment that fosters well-being, productivity, and overall organisational success.

In Conclusion

Investing in workplace hygiene and wellness is an investment in your most valuable asset – your employees. Improved performance is accomplished through the employees of the organisation thus, employees are viewed as a valuable asset to every business to improve performance (Zhenjing et al., 2022).

By creating a clean, healthy, and supportive work environment, you’re not just protecting their physical well-being, but also fostering a culture of productivity, happiness, and success for your entire organisation. So, take the first step today and make your workplace a haven for health and well-being.

Impact Hygiene stands ready to assist you in this endeavour. With our expert services like Impact Clean™, we ensure your restroom facilities are not only pristine but also sustainably maintained to support your team’s health and productivity. Partner with us to take that critical first step towards transforming your workplace into a haven for health, well-being, and success.