In a recent survey, nearly 90% of employees felt that the condition of their staff

facilities was an indicator of how they were valued as a workforce, and while many

felt that their restrooms were good, they also felt that there was room for

improvement.

For example, touchless fixtures such as motion sensor taps, automatic toilets and air fresheners were rated highly, while full-length mirrors, shelving and electric hand dryers were also desirable as the main complaints were jammed or empty paper dispensers, doors that don’t shut properly, clogged or unflushed toilets, and unpleasant smells.

(The survey also found that almost two thirds of workers say they’ve witnessed a colleague leave the restroom without washing their hands…)

And it seems that most consumers (particularly women) will spend more money at a business with a well-kept restroom. Even more interesting is that consumers make a conscious decision to choose a business where the restroom is well-maintained and clean – even to the point where one in three Americans would of being willing to pay for it. So, it makes sense to predict that a poor restroom experience could put consumers off returning to that particular business and clean facilities might even improve custom. And if you think that around 80% of us use public restrooms regularly, that could amount to quite a lot of business.

When it comes to illness, the majority of people surveyed would consciously take steps to protect themselves by avoiding an unwell person, not shaking their hand and washing their own hands more frequently and for longer – and this behaviour continues particularly during the annual flu bug season. Obviously, out of the home, the place they do that is at work or in a public facility.

So, it seems that a well-maintained rest room improves staff morale and feelings of value, and the state of public restrooms could have an effect on the company’s bottom line.