Cleaning can be a pain. Few people really enjoy it, but if you’re a business owner, you’ll want to ensure your office is clean. If you’re a one-person show, you’ll want to handle office cleaning yourself or hire the job out to a cleaning company. On the other hand, if you have a few employees, a janitor might be worth the expense. Here are some major reasons you’ll want to keep your office clean.
1. Good First Impression For Your Clients
It’s likely that prospective clients will come and visit you in your office. What do you want their first impression to be? A commercial from several years ago noted that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. When you have clients visit your office, you want it to be inviting. A dirty office will leave a negative impression. It will also bring your professionalism into question and might mean your prospective business looks elsewhere.
2. Healthier Employees
Dirt and grime can look nasty, but there is a more sinister threat to your office when it’s not cleaned properly. Computers and doorknobs can be great places for germs to accumulate. An office that’s not properly cleaned could also start to see mold growth that can negatively impact your employees’ health. It’s estimated that employees miss 7.7 days because of illness each year. That little statistic causes businesses to lose more than $225 billion cumulatively on an annual basis. When you or your employees are not on the job, it’s pretty hard to adequately serve your clients. Therefore, keeping your office clean is a necessity, not a luxury.
3. A Safer Workplace
Proper office cleaning is important not just because of the possibility of illness. There is also a safety consideration. An office or warehouse that has junk everywhere can be hazardous for your employees and your clients. A spilled bottle of wax might make a floor slippery and lead to a fall. A box that’s sitting in a walkway is a tripping hazard. These are some easy fixes, but if you don’t take cleaning up seriously, they can lead to major safety hazards. It’s better to keep your work area clean and avoid some of the major dangers that can arise from a messy office.
4. Improved Morale
Not only will your customers take you less seriously if your office is a mess, your employees are also less likely to take work seriously. Employees can spend 40 hours or more at work each week. It can almost seem like a second home. A clean and inviting workplace will make it more likely your employees are happy to come to work. When your employees are dissatisfied with their work environment, they’re less likely to be positive ambassadors for your brand. They’re also less likely to perform at peak productivity.
Hiring a cleaning company or a janitor might seem like a luxury. However, it’s a luxury you cannot afford to ignore. A dirty office can harbor germs and lead to decreased productivity. Additionally, your office is an important component of your brand. It provides an important first impression for your prospective clients. Try to look at your workplace as your customers will. You just might see your business increase by keeping your public areas clean and inviting.