The Hidden Costs of Neglecting Office Cleaning

It is common to find many organizations, especially the small ones or start-ups, lacking proper cleaning and tidiness of their working environment. However, the consequences of not cleaning the office properly are not limited to a messy environment only. Unhygienic work environments cause a lot of loss in terms of money and the health of the workers and the organization. In the context of India, where the market competition is high, the consequences of the lack of cleanliness in the office can be devastating for companies.

In this article, the reader will learn about the various hidden costs of not cleaning the office and why hiring a professional cleaning services company is a good investment.

1. Health Problems and More Absenteeism

An effect that is most likely to be realized from poor office cleanliness is that the health of the employees is likely to deteriorate. Offices are particularly dangerous because they are enclosed spaces with many surfaces that are frequently touched by people. Dust, mold and other unhygienic surfaces can cause breathing problems, skin rashes, and even spread flu or common cold. This is especially the case in the Indian office environment where many employees work in large groups in small spaces.

If employees often get sick, then there will be a number of employees who will have to stay at home. Sick days result in reduced efficiency and this in turn has implications for the organization’s performance and profitability. In the long-run, the cost of having employees absent from work due to poor office hygiene outweighs the cost of cleaning. A professional cleaning services company can help to make sure that the working environments are cleaned and disinfected often, thus minimizing the chances of employees getting sick from germs.

2. Poor Air Quality

Yet another hidden problem that is usually associated with lack of proper office cleaning is that of indoor air quality. Dust, mold spores and other contaminants are likely to build up over time especially in offices that are not well ventilated or cleaned frequently. This is especially a cause for concern especially in a country like India where even the air outside the office can be toxic especially in the major cities.

Low quality indoor air is associated with headaches, fatigue and poor concentration which in turn leads to low productivity among employees. In more severe cases, poor quality air can cause chronic diseases such as asthma, if one is exposed to it for a long period of time. Hiring professional cleaners to clean the workplace on a regular basis such as dusting, vacuuming and air filtration enhances the quality of air indoors and increases health of the employees.

Cleaning services company can help businesses maintain cleanliness of carpets, upholstery and ventilation systems, which in turn can help reduce allergens and airborne particles in the workplace.

3. Loss and/or Damage to Office Equipment and Furniture

Failure to clean the office has impacts not only on the health of the employees but also on the durability of office equipment and furniture. Dust and grime can build up on computers, printers and other electronic equipment and this can lead to overheating or even breakdowns. This can happen in humid areas of India where dust and moisture are present and can cause this to occur in a shorter period than anticipated.

Office furniture like the desk, chairs, and the carpet also get left out most of the time. This is because stains, dirt and grime may accumulate on the surfaces and become hard to remove and hence require replacement after sometime. It is a fact that maintenance and cleaning of the office equipment and furnishing can go a long way in increasing their durability and thus sparing the business the costs of frequent replacements.

A cleaning services company can offer cleaning solutions for office equipment and furniture to maintain them in the best way possible. This not only saves the company’s investments but also helps in providing a professional and friendly environment for the employees and the clients.

4. Unfavourable Perceptions on Clients and Partners

The condition of an office may be a mirror image of how professional a company is and how much detail they pay to their working environment. If clients or potential business partners visit a company and the office is untidy and dirty, this will create a wrong impression that may be damaging to business. In the context of the Indian business environment where a first impression is often as good as the last, this could be a very expensive mistake.

Cluttered work environment can make a company appear as if it is out of control, sloppy, or in a state of decline. On the other hand, a clean and well-organized office portrays the fact that the company is proud of its work and the health of its employees and any visitor.

Businesses should contract professional cleaning services to ensure that their office environment is well cleaned at all times and this will help in creating a good first impression to the clients and partners.

5. Lowered Employee Morale and Productivity

Cluttered and untidy working environment is not only aesthetically displeasing, but it also significantly affects the morale and productivity of the workers. Those employees who are exposed to unclean or untidy workplace may not be motivated to work and may not be able to perform their duties effectively. This in the long run results in higher turnover rates since employees may look for other companies that offer a better working environment.

On the other hand, a clean office environment motivates the employees and makes them more productive as opposed to a dirty environment that will demoralize the employees. If the employees are happy and comfortable at their workplace, they are more likely to be productive and attentive to their work. Cleanliness by hiring a professional cleaning services company can help in improving the work environment, thus, lowering down the turnover rate and increasing the productivity.

Conclusion

The hidden costs of not cleaning the office include the following; health of the employees, productivity of the equipment, the life span of the equipment, and the perception that the clients have about the company. In India, especially for the business organizations, efficiency and professionalism are the most important factors that determine success and therefore, it is crucial to keep the working environment clean and healthy.

Hiring a professional cleaning services company is a wise business decision that can help avoid the consequences of unsanitary conditions for people’s health, company’s wallet, and business processes. Thus, if companies pay more attention to the cleanliness of offices, they will be able to maintain a healthier environment for employees and make a good first impression on the clients.