Tips for a sparkling workplace
15 May 2012
Keeping your workplace clean is the most basic health and safety practice but it's also much more than that.
Those who come to work and find a bright, clean environment are far more likely to feel valued than those who have to work in grubby conditions. They'll be more likely to do their bit to keep furniture in good condition, tidy up after themselves in the kitchen, and look after supplies if the office or shop is already pristine. They'll feel better about the company and better about working there.
It's a proven fact that desks become germier after lunch if staff are eating at their workstations.
Improved morale means better productivity and a nicer place for everyone to work. We can't help you with team building exercises or resolve conflicts between key staff but we can help you make sure that your workplace is beautifully clean.
The high quality, effective cleaning products that we sell will naturally make many cleaning tasks a whole lot easier, but there is plenty more you can do.
Handy cleaning hints
Lead by example. It doesn't take much to give your desk a quick once-over. Whether you have professional cleaners coming in or not, take the time to make sure all your papers are put away and that the only coffee cup on your desk is the one you're drinking out of.
If you rely on office or shop staff to do the cleaning, give everyone a fixed area of responsibility. Make checking it a part of the employee's daily routine. Good performance can be rewarded and warnings issued to those that aren't pulling their weight. The rewards don't have to be huge. For example, an extra 15 minutes of flex time per week won't cost you much but it will be enough to give staff a reason to clean.
Keep cleaning materials ready to hand and make sure everyone knows where they are. The sooner a spill is cleaned up the easier it will be and there should be no excuse for leaving a stain unscrubbed. Having a specific home for mops, sponges, and other products will also help make sure that they are always put away after use.
Unpleasant jobs like cleaning the toilets can be shared, so no single person feels like they're getting an unfair deal. Create a simple week by week roster and let each employee know when it's their turn to take on a less popular cleaning task.
Both open spaces and more private ones should be included in the cleaning schedule, whether dedicated cleaning staff are hired or not. For shops, that means including the change rooms, loading areas, and warehousing spaces. For offices, remember to include store rooms, cupboards, toilets, and lunch tables.
Some commercial cleaning products should be carefully stored, especially in places where customers might wander and pick things up. Bleach is a good example. Always read the label of a new cleaning product before it gets used and make sure any health and safety guidelines are followed.
Let all new recruits know that cleanliness is a genuine priority at your company.
