First impressions are important for your business, and tidy desk areas contribute to the overall appearance of your office. More importantly, a clean work environment reduces the risk of disease and boosts productivity and morale, so providing desk area guidelines and maintaining a cleaning schedule are key factors in a positive and healthy workplace.
Recently, many people have been working remotely; most of these recommendations can be easily applied in a home office, also.
Provide Guidelines for a Tidy Desk Area
Providing recommendations for staff to help maintain a tidy desk area could help provide structure in the work environment. Here are some items to consider including in a clean desk policy:
1. Air Fresheners/Scented Hand Lotions/Candles
Require a fragrance-free workspace in the office for the good of office mates who have allergies.
2. Dirty Coffee Cups
Get mugs into the dishwasher rather than letting them sit dirty on the desk all day long.
3. Unwrapped Candy
Encourage wrapped candies or chocolates if employees choose to have a candy bowl at their desks.
4. Personal Care Products
Keep toothbrushes, nail clippers, deodorant, makeup, etc., in a closed container in a drawer.
5. Flowers and Plants
Protect employees with allergies by restricting anything that blooms.
Stuffed Animals/Figurines
Limit dust collectors and items that could be perceived as tacky.
6. Paper Documents
Place papers in files for confidentiality and for ease of cleaning.
While your business may invite individuality into the workspace, guidelines will protect the tidiness of your office and fellow colleagues. Enforce policies with random checks at the end of a day or week. If too much time goes by without checks and balances, employees can easily become lax when it comes to workspace tidiness.
Understand the Benefits of Clean Workspaces
Make a Great First Impression
A clean workspace makes a great first impression on your clients. A clean office helps build trust and positive relationships. Untidy desks can give the impression of disorganization.
Boost Health
The average office desk can host more bacteria than a public toilet seat. Routine cleaning, including cleaning of frequently touched items such as drawer pulls, computer keyboards, phones and more will reduce the spread of germs and illness.
Increase Office Productivity
Cluttered workspaces have been proven to negatively impact employee productivity. Staying organized and tidy saves your team valuable time.
Improve Office Security
An untidy desk, with documents left unfilled, can reveal potentially sensitive information. Creating good habits with workspace guidelines can help protect your clients, employees and, ultimately, your business.
The experts at Office Pride are always ready to help your business shine. We can provide thorough janitorial cleaning services for your office — monthly, weekly or daily. To learn more, or to get a free, no-obligation quote, please call your local Office Pride.
