What’s a simple way to increase the productivity of every employee in your office? Keep it clean!
Both the presence of clutter and excess particles in the air (i.e. dusty, dirty surfaces) significantly lower employee productivity, according to this study. Thus, to increase productivity, it’s important to keep things tidy and free of dust.
Here are a few tips to help make that happen.
Create a Clean Office Culture
Every office has its own culture. You and perhaps a few key employees set the tone for this culture whether you are aware of it or not. If you can make keeping a clean office part of this culture, your office will always be clean with seemingly little effort.
So make cleaning a part of every day — and make it fun. Offer awards for the cleanest workstation and show appreciation to employees who clean common areas.
Keep Cleaning Supplies on Hand
Provide your employees with cleaning supplies so they won’t feel obligated (and perhaps even begrudge you) for having to buy their own cleaning supplies. Plus, when cleaning supplies are readily available, people are more likely to use them.
Take Out the Trash Every Day
Overflowing wastebaskets (or worse, stinky wastebaskets) do not make a good impression on customers. And they can be distracting to employees, impacting productivity.
Set a trash schedule (or let your employees figure out what works best) but make sure the trash is removed every day.
Cleaning Electronics
Computer keyboards are perhaps the most touched surfaces in your office but are often overlooked when cleaning for fear of damage. However, a gentle stroke with a slightly damp disinfecting wipe won’t damage anything.
You can use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol for a deeper clean when needed.
Cleaning Schedule
Larger offices will often have a janitorial staff or you can hire professional cleaners on a schedule if there is room in your budget. In smaller offices, a shared cleaning schedule is a good idea. Everybody should do their part in helping to keep the office clean.
Even if you have professional cleaners, employees should be responsible for their own workstations. Cleaners will often skip over messy desks for fear of disrupting important papers. Have your employees either clean their own stations or put their papers away when the cleaners are scheduled to come.
A Clean Office Equals a Productive Office
It doesn’t take much extra work to keep your office orderly and clean. But it will boost your office’s productivity significantly — which is always a huge win!