Believe it or not, workplace hygiene is closely linked to employee satisfaction.
It works simply as: healthy employees are happy and more productive. So they achieve their goals faster and are more motivated to come to a cleaner and healthier work environment every day. It's also a win-win for the employers as the costs of medical and sick days are low when the office maintains the hygiene levels. In addition, since employees spend most of their day at the office, it is their right to work in a clean, healthy place.
So how do we give them that? Let's find out.
Keeping Hygiene in the Office
Now since most employees are educated, learned, and know the importance of cleanliness, it is a taken that they'd know the basics of hygiene. But, unfortunately, still, there's a lot - not talked about - that comes under the domain of hygiene.
Part of it is teaching the employees about it, and the other part is ensuring the premises stay clean and clear of pests, rodents, and other nuisances.
So let's first talk about the people who work in one place. How can they keep the place clean?
How to Educate People about Basic Hygiene
This comes on the employer’s part to educate and ensure that the employees adhere to the organization’s policies. That includes all the hygienic policies and rules of the workplace too. So here's what you can do:
1. Handwashing
Handwashing is the first line of defense against many diseases and the spread of germs, dirt, and stubby prints all over the place. Although we all know its importance, sometimes a gentle reminder goes a long way.
Set up reminders and encourage the employees to wash their hands, especially before and after meals.
2. Dressing Properly
While some would argue that attire and dressing up should be a personal choice, you can have your own set of rules as an employer. At the very least, you can ask them to shower and come nearly dressed to work. Shabby dressing and body odors should be taken note of.
3. Circulate a Memo
Memos are great ways to inform and circulate information of any kind, real fast. So circulate a memo or a policy draft on office hygiene and pin it around the office. Inform them in detail what is expected, so it is taken seriously.
4. Keep the Desks Clean
You also need to tell the employees to keep their desks clutter-free. Again, as an employer, you can ensure this by providing them with organizers, files, etc.
You should also designate a separate eating area. So employees do not eat and leave crumbs (which insects and rodents can feed on later) on their desks.
5. Use Air fresheners
One way to ensure your office smells pleasant and welcoming at all times is to keep air fresheners and use them to neutralize the air. However, make sure you don't use them very frequently; airing out is a better option.
6. Go Paperless
If your business allows, go entirely paperless or at least try to minimize the usage where you can. That is good to keep the workplace clutter-free and is also cost-effective and not forget the enormous impact it can have on the environment. Since most of the work can be done online and via emails, reduce paper and economize.
How to Maintain Hygiene on the Premises
Now having a cleaning staff in place, regular inspections, and overall cleanliness are the responsibility of the management.
Amongst the prime areas to look into are:
1. Clean Bathrooms
The bathrooms at the workplace must always be clean. Employees use them frequently during the day, and since so many people use them at one time, the place is bound to carry a lot of germs. So to ensure proper, regular cleaning of the bathrooms.
Also, make sure you have sufficient stock of tissues, towels, and hand washes to meet the needs of the employees.
Reference: bathrooms at the workplace
2. Sanitizer and Wipes
Sanitizer isn’t just a post-Covid requirement. You need to have the workplace equipped with sanitizers and wipes. Wipes are a must so that employees can clean out their desks, work areas, etc., with ease. Remember, employees only make use of these items when they are accessible.
3. Fogging HOCl
Offices are full of people coming and going, doorknobs, for example, are constantly being touched by someone. While it would be nice to wipe down these common objects with sanitizer and wipes every time someone touches them, it is not appropriate to do this job completely from a human resource aspect. In such areas, consider using a disinfectant fogger.
A special fogger can be used to disinfect surfaces throughout the office and remove bothersome odors and allergens by spraying the space with HOCl(also known as ECA), which is effective in low concentrations and safe for human body.
If you would like to learn more about this system, please contact us.
4. Kitchen
Just like the home, the workplace kitchen is the place where we eat, and so it's more susceptible to being infested by mice, roaches, and even mold. Ensure thorough cleaning of the kitchen, including all the equipment and utensils.
5. Regular Cleaning and Fumigation
The key is consistency here; cleaning isn't a one-time thing. So to ensure the workplace stays hygienic, make it a practice to clean and fumigate regularly.
Since the buildings are usually closed, with no windows letting the air come in - since we rely on the air conditioning - mold and bacteria often find it easy to build up here. Plus, bugs and pests too find comfort in such places. So ensure the area is fumigated regularly to rid it of such issues.
6. Add More Plants
Plants are not just aesthetically pleasing but also help clean out the air. That is much needed in a closed space where we are mainly dependant on the air conditioning. These will help people breathe in the fresh air and stay healthy.
7. Encourage Sick Days
It's always less stressful when employees are allowed to work from home or take days off when they don't feel well. Especially these days with the global pandemic, encourage them to work from home and take off when they are not feeling well. That will also keep the workplace free from germs and minimize the chances of the spread.
Conclusion
Office hygiene applies to all workplaces, not just restaurants. Although dining places do need to take care of it a notch higher than the other places. So whether it’s an office, bank, school, factory, or a firm, there must be measures both on an individual and organizational level to provide everyone with a cleaner environment.
By adopting a few hygienic practices, you can take care of the health hazards and keep it clean and welcoming for all.
