During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans were made keenly aware of the significance of hygiene. Seemingly simple, everyday actions—frequently washing hands, using sanitizers, cleaning surfaces and the refraining from social norms (such as shaking hands)—had to be adapted a
We can safely say such practices went a long way in helping contain the spread. What is interesting, however, is that after 18 months of incorporating these practices into our daily lives, they’ve become habits. A diehard habit.
Revealed in a survey by Essity, a leading global hygiene and health company, 84% of Americans are likely to cont
Getting employees back to the workplace has been presenting a challenge in industries and facilities across the board. Whatever concerns employees may harbor, a hygienic work environment need not be one of them.
Fortunately, that is one of the easiest concerns to overcome. It’s a matter of mindfulness: understanding what employees are expecting, continually staying in touch with them about those expectations, addressing them to their complete satisfaction, and always being open to suggestions.
The heartening news is, 84% of Americans who’ve worked in an office previous to the pandemic have good faith that their employers will be creating a clean, safe environment for them. Even so, 58% would like to see an increase in the implementation of cleaning and sanitizing practices. Taking their cues from COVID-19, here are some of the measures employees would like to see:
The differences are important to note:
Hand sanitizer stations. These could be placed outside restrooms, in breakrooms, near elevators, in kitchens, at cafeteria entrances, near cash registers, at building entrances, and in lobbies—to name a few.
Hands-free restroom fixtures. Think motion-activated paper towel and soap dispensers. Em
Increased communication and signage on safety and cleanliness protocols. Straightforward or expressed with humor, informing employees of what is being done in the name of safety will allay concerns. Also, gentle reminders of how employees can maintain a clean, safe workplace help to reinforce best practices and ensure that everyone is doing their part.
Higher-capacity paper towel dispensers in common areas and in bathrooms. Spills and messes can happen anywhere in an office, from the bathroom to the conference room, to one’s own desk space. Having enough paper towels handy means having one less stressor.
Of the many things COVID has spotlighted, it’s one’s own pre-pandemic behavior. Personal hygiene habits, for better or for worse, were brought into sharp relief. Changing those old habits may have been a bit of a nuisance at first, but it was quickly realized to be a very small price to pay if it meant preventing not only oneself from contracting the virus, but also family, friends, and colleagues.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, most reassuring is how those good habits are being carried through into the workplace. As employees return to the office, they take notice of positive changes in their co-workers’ behavior, engendering an “all-in-this-together” vibe as everyone does their due diligence in maintaining a healthy, safe environment for one another. Impressive stats support this:
Whether it’s custodians, facility management, or office workers themselves, everyone can pitch in and easily be an active participant of the “clean team”—as long as the right products are available and conveniently at everyone’s disposal. Providing you with a one-stop-shop for all the previously mentioned products and more is what Miller’s does. That, and helping you devise a plan to decide what’s best for your situation at a cost that will be aligned with your budget.
Making these changes or enhancements in your office or facility can go a long way in hastening employees’ return to work, and give them peace of mind when they do.
During the pandemic, fastidious hygiene habits have been correlated to the dramatic drop in colds and flu during the 2020-21 winter season. Making these habits permanent in the workplace could very well have that same healthy effect in cold and flu seasons to come.
Contact your Miller’s representative today. Together and once and for all, let’s get every health, safety and hygiene concern clean off the table
Resources:
“Concerns About Office Cleanliness and Hygiene Measures Weigh on American Workers as Many Begin Returning to the Office” https://www.essityusa.com/media/us-news/2021/backtobusiness/
“What Hygiene Measures Make Employees Feel Confident and Safe Returning to the Workplace?” https://www.essityusa.com/Images/Essity-Back-To-Business-Sutvey-Infographic-2021_tcm341-118554.pdf
“Flu Cases Decline Dramatically This Season” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/flu-cases-decline-dramatically-this-season
What’s the Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting?” https://www.clorox.com/resources/coronavirus/whats-the-difference-between-cleaning-sanitizing-and-disinfecting/