Nearly three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the very first time, office occupancy in 10 major US cities crossed the 50% mark, according to data from security swipe company Kastle Systems. But as employees continue to return to the office, they’re placing greater emphasis on cleaning as a workplace safety priority.
In a survey conducted by the Cleaning Coalition of America, employees spoke about their return to work priorities and the role cleaning plays in the workplace. This piece will share some of the findings and what we have learned.
Clean Workplaces Help With Employee Retention
The survey found that 43% of Americans fear physically returning to work could risk their health and safety, and 38% would consider quitting if cleaning wasn’t done regularly. With a tight labor market, employers cannot afford to lose employees because of cleaning issues. Meticulous commercial cleaning services can help with employee retention.
Workplace Cleaning: Employees Speak Out
Here’s a taste of what Americans had to say about their workplace cleaning practices:
“Clean our workspace like you would clean your home. We live here, too,” stated a frustrated employee. If there were one word to summarize the survey, it would be CARE. Respondents were also worried about more than Covid infections; as one noted, “Cleaning and disinfecting is important in any workplace to prevent any infection, not just Covid.”
Employers were called out for cheaping out on cleaning services. “Hire the best and most qualified company, not the cheapest. It is so much more important now,” one respondent stated. And one worker shared that “cleaning attracts customers” and thus is ultimately beneficial to a company’s bottom line.
Increased Emphasis on Workplace Safety
89% of Americans rated cleaning protocols as very or somewhat important as a priority, and 77% said cleaning should be done at least once daily. Having professional cleaners would make 62% of the respondents feel safe and more protected from Covid. Practices like disinfection of shared spaces and provision of hand sanitizers found favor with a majority of respondents.
Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Employees Prioritized Cleaning
Regarding cleaning protocols, vaccinated and unvaccinated employees agree. 93% of vaccinated expressed an increased emphasis on cleaning protocols compared to 82% of unvaccinated employees. A supermajority of both, over two-thirds, also agreed that the workplace should be cleaned at least once daily.
In summary, cleaning has emerged as a top workplace safety priority in the post-pandemic era. Hiring an excellent commercial cleaning service provider will be essential for HR directors, facility managers, and general managers as workers return to the office.
At System4 Milwaukee, we provide commercial cleaning services to help workplaces offer clean, healthy, and inviting spaces. And the process starts with a quality audit. We will inspect your facility for proper cleaning & disinfecting protocol, take measurements, and develop a customized scope of work for your facility. Please reach out to us for a free quality audit.
