Can a Clean Office Really Increase Productivity?

London’s cleaning firms corroborate research linking working environment and productivity.

In recent years, an increasing number of companies have started encouraging employees to return to the office, either with hybrid or fully onsite models. 

This has sparked much debate on the productivity of employees while they’re at work and the factors which affect it. 

From working in an office versus working at home to the hygiene of an office environment, there are lots of things which can impact employees’ experience of their workplace, which has a knock-on effect on their productivity. 

This has also coincided with more research coming out exploring and substantiating the link between office hygiene and tidiness and employee productivity. 

Recently, a paper was published on the correlation between a person’s work environment and their productivity, with particular focus on indoor environmental quality in offices. 

The paper established that, as expected, a poor work environment – which can include anything from dim lighting to insufficient ventilation – has a negative impact on employees’ productivity.

A big part of creating a good work environment is keeping the office clean, which generally increases output. 

We spoke with the senior team at The Clean Network, one of the cleaning companies helping London-based companies keep their workspaces clean. They claimed to have also found productivity and cleanliness to be linked, based on their clients’ feedback.

“Our clients have seen a big increase in their employees’ productivity since they’ve put more effort into keeping the office clean and healthy,” says The Clean Network’s co-founder Charlie Harris. 

“As well as keeping employees healthy, meaning less sick days, a clean office can improve employees’ mood, too, which has a great knock-on effect on productivity.”

The recent paper corroborated the fact that Indoor Environmental Quality can have a significant effect on employees’ health, as well as their productivity. 

The paper stated that poor Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) can be linked with symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome, a condition where people get symptoms every time they are in a certain place, such as an office. 

As the document explained, a range of things can lead to Sick Building Syndrome, including poor IEQ and hygiene standards in the office.

This is just one of the many reasons as to why an increasing number of companies are focussing on maintaining a high standard of hygiene and tidiness around the office.

The Clean Network’s clients have also noticed an improvement in their employees’ overall health since focussing more time and effort on cleaning and maintenance. 

“We’re helping our clients optimise their offices for employees’ health and wellbeing, and it’s clear the impact this has on output and productivity” Harris concludes.