It is becoming increasingly evident that cleanliness and hygiene in the workplace is no longer just a matter of pleasantry, but is a vital factor for productivity. With more and more offices converting to open plan, people are socialising more frequently, sharing facilities and technology, and thereby facing more hygiene risks than before.

It’s estimated that up to 90 percent of offices in Australasia today have open floor plans, and while open plan offices have several advantages, they do require a higher level of maintenance and a relevant hygiene strategy.

Staying healthy by keeping clean and hygienic in an office can be difficult, as many offices do not maintain proper hygiene levels, even in the washrooms. About 22 percent of employees say they often refrain from using the toilets where they work, 30 percent among younger people, as the toilets are unhygienic or messy.

Today, about 40 percent globally say they often worry about becoming ill due to poor hygiene, and there are noticeable differences between age groups. Employers seeking to attract and retain millennials should be aware that they worry a lot more about lack of hygiene than the older part of the workforce. For example, 50 percent of people aged 16-25 say they often worry about hygiene, while that figure is only 21 percent for those aged 61 and older.

According to a recent study, one of the most important factors for improving hand hygiene and thus reducing the incidence of infectious diseases is simply to provide more opportunities for hand hygiene, meaning making facilities available and making sure they are always stocked.

By strategically using Tork Hygiene Stand with Tork Foam or Gel Sanitiser at locations in the office with high traffic, companies are able to offer employees hygiene products such as hand sanitiser and tissues with much higher availability and ease. Walking past the stand is also a simple reminder for both employees and guests of the importance of hand hygiene and it demonstrates that the company cares about their wellbeing.

Tork Foam and Gel Sanitisers are highly effective with a bacteria kill rate of 99.9 percent and have moisturising agents to prevent skin drying out. To remind people to sanitise their hands, an AD-a-Glance panel can be added to the Tork Hygiene Stand so customised messages can be displayed prominently.

By implementing a hygiene strategy in the office, employers can increase both productivity and well-being by reducing sick-days and hygiene worries. Studies show that executing the right hand hygiene program in an office can reduce the amount of sick leave by over 20 percent and has been shown to reduce worry, improve morale and the attitude toward the employee’s workplace. Even minimal interventions can be great at improving hygiene and have been proven to reduce the number of health insurance claims. Time to up the ante when it comes to hygiene.

To download our Open plan office whitepaper, click here

Tork Professional Hygiene

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