Most recognizable businesses would often attribute their success to innovative strategies, out-of-the-box marketing, and offering a high-quality product or excellent service. True, these are all great ways to be successful. But what is often overlooked, is that these success strategies all began with a clean office. Cleanliness in the office impacts employees perception of the company, what it stands for, and how they are valued as part of the organization.

In a Harvard University study that measures productivity, students were exposed to varying levels of disarray. Those who worked in a clutter-free environment are more focused and productive as opposed to students trying to work in an untidy workplace. The study concluded that a cluttered office more likely undermines employees’ persistence in completing tasks because they are more predisposed to be distracted, thus decreasing their productivity. Ipso facto, cleanliness encourage employees to work hard. Here are seven ways a clean workspace promotes employees productivity.

1. Reduces Employees’ Sick Leaves

An unclean office could result in your staff falling ill or injured thus increasing absenteeism. Office fixtures and equipment are often breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Poorly cleaned carpet, for instance, can harbor allergens that could cause skin allergies and respiratory illnesses. Over-spilling bins, dirty pantry, wet floor, messy desks pose health hazards and increase the likelihood of accident or injury from happening. A professional commercial cleaning service provider who cleans regularly will greatly reduce employees’ sick days by ensuring your company office is a clean, germ-free site to work in. Less sick employees mean more staff getting the work done.

2. Improves Employees Morale

Another critical element that impacts office productivity is employee morale. When morale among your employees is low, productivity will unavoidably decline as well. To maintain high morale and keep your employees happy, they have to take pride in their work environment. A simple task of keeping workstations clean and organize brings a sense of pride. Employees are more likely to take ownership of their work and contribution to your company when they associate positive feelings in their workplace. And when personnel starts to realize the advantages of having a clean workstation, cleanliness becomes part of the corporate culture.

3. Positive Company Perception

Impressions about your company by both clients and employees begin with the physical appearance of your workplace. Afterall, office environment is a manifestation of how you run your business and an extension of your product or service. And first impressions matter. Welcoming people into a filthy, cluttered office will give the employees the feeling of being stuck in a cramped place making it more difficult for them to be creative or to merely focus on their tasks. Likewise, potential clients might lose interest or confidence in dealing with you because of your inability to keep a tidy office. Hiring office cleaning services might be more expensive than DIY, but it is a small price to pay to create a positive perception of your company for both your internal and external clients.

4. Reduces Stress

The last thing an employee would want to do after a long-tiring day attending to work-related responsibilities is to have to empty the bins and clean up. Not only will that add unnecessary stress, it could even cause discord among your employees. As it is often the case, the same employees who do clean, end up doing it for the group which will inevitably cause tension. Hence, bringing in a professional cleaner is a small amount to pay so you could turn your office into an inviting place to work and be productive.  

5. Enhanced Focus

It is difficult for employees to keep focus when you have an unkempt office. Even if one workstation is clean, a neighbor’s messy desk, untidy pantry, or dusty conference room can easily cause distraction and lessen the level of concentration. Promoting a culture of cleanliness by encouraging employees to be tidy coupled with a hired office cleaner will surely keep your office spick and span. And when your office is clean and organized, employees are less likely to be distracted from clutter and will have greater levels of concentration and office productivity going up.

6. Increases Job Satisfaction

Singaporeans are known to be hard workers. In fact, most often than not, working adults spend more time in the office than at home. Being in the office for most of the day, a pristine and hygienic work environment can easily boost morale and keep spirits up. Happy employees get more job done than those who dislike their job. Employees who are satisfied with their work and work environment, are less likely to quit.

7. Work Is Done More Efficiently

A cluttered office costs your company time and money. Employees are more prone to make mistakes and takes a long time searching for important documents. Organizations lose an estimate of US$2.5 million in lack of office productivity. By cultivating a culture of cleanliness, employees are able to do their part in keeping their work areas clean. With a well-organized workspace, there is less obstruction to distract employees from their responsibilities, less time wasted looking for things needed, and workflows are streamlined.

Thanks for the info!

Edited July 30, 20188 yr by alanz

That is so true! To keep our office clean we hire specialists from  Carpet Repairs service here in NZ at least once a month. Luckily they have affordable prices and do all work at the highest level. I think clean work environment is very important.

There are plenty of articles that cover this topic and it seems indeed to be true. A clean and organized workplace is sure to boost moral and productivity as everyone keeps a clearer mind when working. The same goes for the home environment as well, cleanliness makes a whole lot of difference not only in the sense that you are less likely to inhale pollutants and have other similar issues (proper hygiene is in check overall), but chances are that you will have a more positive mindset as well, increasing life quality as a whole.

A clean office can really influence a lot the atmosphere because it is impossible to live and to work in a dirty place having a pure mind at the same time. Still, sometimes it is not enough. In this case, many other techniques can increase your productivity and make you more organized, not only when speaking about work but even when speaking about your daily life in general. You can try the procedure called a brain dump. I am not gonna tell you what it is, but if you are interested, take a look on the internet for more.