It’s no secret that a clean and organized office is more productive than one that is cluttered and messy. Not only does it make it difficult for employees to focus on their work, but it can also be a breeding ground for germs and illness.
However, keeping an office clean can be daunting, especially if you have a lot of employees or a large workspace. So, here are seven easy tips to help you keep your office clean and organized to promote employee wellness — without breaking the bank:
1. Clean your office regularly to prevent the spread of illness
Although you might already have a maintenance plan that involves a deep cleaning of the whole office once or twice a year, it’s also important to keep up with the daily dirt. This can include cleaning all desks, chairs, and tables daily as well as wiping down telephones, keyboards, computer screens, phones, and desk ledges.
Doing so eliminates the possibility of people picking up germs. It also prevents dirt, grime, and debris from accumulating on your office equipment, which can eventually damage it and lead to more costly repairs down the road.
2. Keep common areas tidy, like the break room and bathrooms
Even if you have a janitorial service, common areas in your office building should be kept tidy daily. People who venture out of their office to use the bathroom or partake of a snack are more likely to track dirt across their carpets or flooring.
Keep the hallways, vending area, break room, and bathrooms free of spills to prevent people from slipping or tracking in filth. Plus, this way, your employees will feel safer and enjoy spending more time at the office.
3. Vacuum and dust frequently to eliminate allergens
Carpeting can be a good flooring option for most workplaces, but it can also be a good home for allergens. Dirt, dust, debris, and other airborne contaminants accumulate in carpets over time. These can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
Keeping your carpets vacuumed and dusted regularly can reduce the chances of these contaminants getting into the air and harming your employees. So, to protect your employees’ health, you should hire comprehensive carpet cleaning services at least once a month to get your floors thoroughly cleaned.
4. Wash hands often, and encourage others to do the same
With flu season and COVID-19 looming in the air, more people are coming into contact with germs. Implementing a hand-washing policy is a smart way to prevent the spread of illness, which means it’s also a good idea to encourage your employees to wash their hands regularly.
If they have to leave their desk or workstation, encourage your employees to use hand sanitizer or alcohol. This can help kill germs before they spread throughout the office, and it can also save on the costs of company sick days.
5. Make sure the office temperature is comfortable
It’s important to make sure the office is at a comfortable temperature. When people are too cold, they might feel like it’s not worth staying at the office or may be more distracted by their discomfort. On the other hand, people who are too hot might become irritable and unfocused — both of which can be a drain on productivity.
To help control the temperature, consider installing programmable HVAC systems that allow you to set a temperature range. You can also install smart sensors that will let you know if the office is too hot or cold, and then the system will turn on or off accordingly.
6. Install dimmers to eliminate harsh lights
When people are staring at bright, glaring overhead lights all day long, it can cause eye strain and fatigue. Additionally, it can make people feel like they’re less productive or, even worse, it may prevent them from seeing properly in the first place.
To solve these problems, consider installing dimmers in your office to make your lights less glaring and more comfortable for your employees. Not only will people be more productive, but this can also increase morale by making the workplace feel more comfortable and homelike.
7. Keep flowers or plants in the office to improve air quality
Office plants and flowers can help improve the air quality in your office. Not only does this make for a more aesthetically-pleasing office, but it can also help reduce pollutants and allergens in the air. Plus, it can lessen the stuffiness of the air in your office when people eat lunch inside.
Additionally, flowers and plants promote mindfulness and can reduce stress — both of which make for a more productive workforce. If you’re willing to go out of your way for the sake of employee wellness, you could even invest in having green spaces inside your workplace.
For all of these reasons and more, it’s important to keep the office clean if you want to promote employee wellness. Hopefully, these tips can help you do just that. So, follow them and reap the rewards of a more productive, healthier workforce.