ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A UK workplace survey has uncovered a gap between employees' perceptions about the importance of office hygiene and how consistently it is practised in everyday working environments.

The survey, conducted by office supplies retailer Cartridge People, revealed that 74 per cent of workplaces were cleaned daily or multiple times per day.

Around 92 per cent of respondents said they routinely washed their hands after using the toilet. But 30 per cent of employees said they rarely or never cleaned their desks while fewer than a third sanitised their hands after using shared equipment.

And a mere 26 per cent said they cleansed their hands after shaking hands with a colleague. Despite these findings, 74 per cent of survey respondents said they felt personal hygiene at work to be either very or extremely important.

"Businesses are clearly investing in professional cleaning, but hygiene doesn't stop when the cleaners leave," said Julie Gimblett, HR manager at Cartridge People.

"Access to the right supplies and clear expectations around shared responsibility are critical to maintaining standards throughout the working day."

The survey also highlights inconsistencies in access to cleaning supplies. Although 58 per cent of respondents say wipes and sanitiser are always available, one in ten report that cleaning products are rarely available or never provided.

And when asked what could be done to improve workplace hygiene, 28 per cent of employees said cleaning could be carried out more frequently while 22 per cent asked for improvements to be made to supplies and equipment.