Most employers would agree that they are constantly looking for ways to increase productivity, ideally for a minimum cost. People try all sorts of techniques to encourage efficiency in their workers, including providing comfortable chairs, running team-building exercises and away days, and offering employee perks such as discounts and exercise classes. If you’re looking to boost productivity in your office, though, there may be one element that you’ve been overlooking: the mess.
It has often been said that a clean and tidy office leads to better productivity among workers. How can that be? Does it really have that much of an impact? Let’s take a look.
A Clean Space Improves Focus
According to a study carried out in 2014, people working in a disorganized environment are more likely to experience “self-regulatory failure”—in other words, they’re probably going to be distracted more often. People working in clean and clutter-free spaces, on the other hand, are more focused and efficient.
In practice, it is safe to assume that those working in tidy offices are going to get more work done in less time than people working in untidy or dirty workspaces—it’s just human nature.
Fewer Germs Means Better Health
With the sheer number of people in one space, most offices are absolutely packed with germs. Many viruses and bacteria survive on surfaces for just 24 hours, but some can live on indoor surfaces for up to seven days, meaning that offices are often breeding grounds for colds and flu.
Hiring a team of professional cleaners, such as those at best-clean-direct.co.uk, can ensure that surfaces are regularly disinfected, meaning that fewer germs will be lurking around your employees’ desks.
Fewer germs in the office mean a reduction in illness, and this in itself will improve productivity. Everyone knows how hard it can be to focus on work when you’re not at your best. Less illness also means fewer sick days, so it’s a win-win situation.
Keep Your Staff Happy
Most people who work in an office (or any type of 9-to-5 job) spend around eight hours a day at their place of work. In fact, estimates suggest that people spend up to a third of their lives at work.
With such a huge proportion of time spent in the same place, people are likely to be far happier if the space itself is clean, tidy, and pleasant. Many employers now brag about fun or interesting offices when trying to convince employees to work for them, but the bare minimum of an enticing office is cleanliness.
Clean spaces make people calmer, less stressed, and overall happier than those that are dirty or untidy, and people who are happy at work are more likely to get work done on time and to a high standard.
Time Is Money
If your company uses any paper files or hard copies, you’ll already be aware of the benefits of a good filing system. The same principle can be extended to all sorts of office activities. If your employees can lay their hands on what they need in an instant rather than rummaging around in piles of mess and clutter, they will save time and get their work done more quickly. Sounds obvious, really!
It should come as no surprise that a clean office is a productive office; with so many benefits to cleanliness and good organization, there is really no reason not to provide your staff with a tidy workspace. When your team is happier, you can reap the rewards.
Milo Senalle
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