The annual spring clean shouldn’t just be confined to the home. There’s no reason why spring can’t also signal the perfect time to get your office in order and brush away the cobwebs in all of those hard-to-reach places. It may not be high on the business list of priorities, but ignore the deep clean and you could be hurting your business more than you think. An orderly, clean and tidy workspace has been proven to increase productivity, boost morale and reduce absenteeism. In fact, there are many hidden advantages to having a clean and tidy office. Here are some of them:
Reduces stress
A clean office increases happiness and satisfaction. Clutter creates stress. Stress leads to a number of health problems including depression and fatigue. It’s draining working in an untidy and dirty working environment.
Improves health
Cleanliness impacts on employees’ health, and it should be no surprise to learn that a clean environment promotes better health. Dirt and dust can be a trigger for allergies and dirty desks and keyboards harbour germs. The average office keyboard has around 7,500 bacteria on it! Keeping the office clean has a beneficial effect on staff absenteeism.
Increases focus
Dirt and mess is a continual distraction. A clean office increases employee focus and hence productivity. Research shows that a lot of work time is lost when employees search for things not in reach. Organisation is key and that’s much more achievable in a clean environment. With a clean and organised office space employees can focus on business matters.
Boosts office morale
A clean and tidy environment boosts office morale and has a positive impact on productivity. A clean office makes you feel good about where you work and that rubs off.
Protects building assets
Taking care of the office environment with regular cleaning and an annual or 6-monthly deep clean is a great way to prevent excessive wear and tear.
Impresses clients
A sparkling office creates a great first impression when clients are visiting, and is imperative if you are thinking of selling or part-leasing your building. A welcoming environment that looks clean and organised will definitely impress.
The office spring clean may not be the most pressing issue for business owners, but keeping staff focused and productive, and happy about where they work, will ultimately be good for business. Don’t overlook the annual spring clean. It’s a chance to get maintenance jobs up to date, carpets cleaned and all those hard-to-reach places properly taken care of.
