When you think about your productivity, what normally comes to mind? Chances are you are thinking of ways to schedule your priorities, your systems and maybe even your habits. However, there are many things that can impact one’s productivity, including the fact that a clean office can improve productivity.
A messy, unsanitary office leads to workers being distracted easily by piles of rubbish and stacks of paper. Indeed, such workspaces could result in employees frequently getting ill and work not being done due to abnormally high absenteeism. By sticking to a cleaning routine and maintaining a neatly organised work space, employees are much more likely to get their best work done and meet targets.
Here are some startling facts about messy workspaces:
- The average employee loses 9 working days a year to sickness, some of which may be attributed to a lack of workplace hygiene.
- A typical office keyboard can carry up to 7,500 bacteria at any given time.
- Viruses such as the flu can linger on unclean surfaces such as work desks or electronic equipment for 24 hours.
Disturbing?
I know I was a little disturbed when I came across those statistics.
Charles Duhigg explains in his book, The Power of Habit,“ that making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget.” Making your bed is what he calls a “keystone habit,” something that kick starts a pattern of other good behavior. And since it happens at the very beginning of the day, you’re apt to make better decisions for the remainder of the day thanks to your bed-making routine.
How does a clean work environment play a role?
A clean office space can improve productivity by contributing to the following factors:
- Increased Focus
- Less Time Wasted
- Less Stress
- Greater Profitability
- Less Absenteeism
- Improved Morale
CSG, a national cleaning specialist created an infographic sharing some tips on the benefits of a clean office and some tips to keeping it that way.
Through a commitment to excellence and a continual investment in their people, CSG seeks to become the leading brand name within the cleaning industry nationwide.