Did you know that the average office worker loses 2.5 days of productivity a year due to sickness? And that number only increases when you factor in poor hygiene practices. In this blog post, we will discuss the consequences of poor hygiene in the workplace and how it can impact your business. We will also provide some tips on how to improve hygiene habits in your office!
Photo by Israel Andrade on Unsplash
Poor Hygiene can Lead to Absenteeism
When employees are sick, they are not productive. This can lead to missed deadlines and a decrease in overall productivity. In addition, absenteeism can also lead to increased costs for your company, as you may have to pay for temporary workers or overtime.
Poor Hygiene can Impact Morale
Let’s face it, no one wants to work in a dirty environment. If your office is full of germs, it can make employees feel unmotivated and unproductive. A clean and healthy workplace will help improve morale and make employees more likely to be productive.
Poor Hygiene can Cause Customers to Take Their Business Elsewhere
First impressions are important, and if your office is dirty, customers will likely take their business elsewhere. In addition, if customers see that your employees are not taking care of themselves, they may question the quality of your products or services.
Poor Hygiene can Lead to Legal Issues
If your workplace is unsanitary, you could be opening yourself up to legal issues. If employees become sick due to poor hygiene, they may file a lawsuit against your company. Additionally, if customers get sick after visiting your office, they could also take legal action.
Poor Hygiene can Lead to Pests
If your office is dirty, it can attract pests. These pests can spread diseases and contaminate food. In addition, some pests can cause damage to your office furniture or equipment. You will need to hire commercial pest control services to get rid of the pests in order to protect your business.
Tips on How to Improve Hygiene in Your Workspace
So, what can you do to improve hygiene in your workplace? Here are some tips:
- Encourage employees to wash their hands regularly.
- Provide hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes throughout the office.
- Make sure the kitchen and bathrooms are clean and stocked with paper towels, soap, and toilet paper.
- Encourage employees to stay home when they are sick. Just be sure to monitor your company’s sick policy to avoid any legal issues.
- Hold regular cleaning days where everyone pitches in to clean the office. It can even be on a rotation basis so that everyone has to clean once a month.
- Hire a professional cleaning company to clean the office on a regular basis.
- Implement a “no food at desks” policy. You can provide a break room for employees to eat their meals.
- Promote a healthy lifestyle for your employees. Encourage them to eat healthy foods and to exercise regularly.
By following these tips, you can improve hygiene in your workplace and make it a healthier and more productive environment for everyone.