Conquer Clutter and Cultivate a Culture of Cleanliness in Your Workplace
We spend a significant portion of our lives in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there are about 2,080 working hours in a year for an employee who works a traditional 8 hours per day/40-hour workweek.
It’s safe to say that our jobs can have a significant impact on our quality of life.
Given the amount of time we spend at work, it’s no surprise that a clean and organized workspace can significantly impact our well-being and productivity.
Studies** show that clutter can lead to decreased focus, increased stress, and even lower employee morale.
Conversely, a clean and organized space fosters a sense of calm, promotes productivity, and reflects positively on your company culture.
So, how can you cultivate a culture of cleanliness and clean habits in your workplace? Here are 8 effective strategies:
- Lead by Example:
Setting a good example is crucial for influencing behavior. Managers and team leaders should actively participate in maintaining a clean workspace. This could involve tasks like wiping down common surfaces, disposing of trash properly, and keeping their own desks organized.
- Establish Clear Guidelines:
Create a clear and concise cleaning policy that outlines everyone’s responsibilities. This could include guidelines for personal workspace tidiness, shared kitchen and bathroom etiquette, and waste disposal protocols. involving employees in creating these guidelines to promote ownership and accountability.
- Make Cleaning Easy and Accessible:
Provide readily available cleaning supplies like disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and trash bins in convenient locations throughout your facility.
- Encourage Shared Responsibility and Embrace Teamwork:
Organize regular cleaning days where teams can tackle communal areas together. This fosters a sense of shared responsibility and can be a fun team-building exercise.
- Get Creative with Incentives:
Gamify the process! Implement friendly competitions for the tidiest desk or department, with small rewards for the winners. This can add a touch of fun and encourage healthy competition.
- Foster Open Communication:
Encourage employees to voice concerns about cleanliness issues. Address their feedback promptly and transparently to show that their input matters.
- Celebrate Cleanliness:
Recognize and appreciate employees who consistently go the extra mile to maintain a clean and organized workspace. A simple “thank you” or a shout-out during team meetings can go a long way.
- Invest in Professional Cleaning:
For larger offices or heavily trafficked areas, consider hiring professional cleaning services. This ensures a thorough and consistent level of cleanliness, freeing up your employees’ time for more productive tasks.
Schedule regular deep cleaning services for carpets, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas. This ensures thorough sanitation and prevents the build-up of grime and allergens.
Remember, a clean and organized workplace is an investment in your employees’ well-being and your company’s success. By taking these steps, you can turn your workplace into a haven of cleanliness and productivity, benefiting both your employees and your bottom line.
**In their 2011 study researchers at Princeton University concluded that a cluttered environment makes it more difficult to focus on a specific task due to a person’s visual cortex being overwhelmed by all the task-irrelevant objects in the room.
**In this 2017 study, Mirte Horrevorts, Johan Van Ophem, Paul Terpstra, Facilities, 21 Aug 2018, Vol. 36, Issue 9/10, pages 442 – 459, investigated whether the cleanliness of a work environment has influence on the productivity of employees working in office environments.
