Hybrid working provides flexible arrangements for employees to work both in the office and at home. At its best, for the employee this means less time commuting giving them more opportunity for productivity, and for the company, it means increased productivity and a smaller office footprint which may enable them to reduce costs. Either way, office cleaning remains essential.
- Hybrid working provides benefits for both staff and employers.
- A reduced office footprint doesn’t diminish the need for a regularly cleaned workspace.
- The benefits of daily office cleaning remain the same in hybrid workplaces.
Even with hybrid arrangements, offices require consistent cleaning to support health and safety, make a positive impression on clients, and enhance employee satisfaction. These benefits are important regardless of the specific days employees are present in the office.
While office occupancy patterns may have shifted, professional cleaning companies have adapted to meet these new needs. If different employees are in the office on varying days, the space is still being used frequently. This might mean cleaning happens less often or on a different schedule, but cleanliness remains essential for any space where employees and customers gather.
And although physically staff may be in the office for less time, their concern with regard to office cleanliness doesn’t lessen in turn. Employees still value cleanliness highly, even if they’re spending fewer days in the office.
Just as before, around 70% of workers consider the cleanliness of their work area to be important to their levels of job satisfaction and around 75% still regard the cleanliness of their workplace to be a reflection of how much their wellbeing is valued by the company – regardless of whether they are in there for one day or five.
The challenge for businesses is whether the previous cost of cleaning a larger premises is justified if they now have a reduced office space. Nevertheless, an office still needs cleaning and sanitising as it is still in daily use. Even if the premises is not occupied all the time, high-touch germ traps like fridges, rest rooms, and door handles will still be harbouring bacteria.
Another benefit of reduced office occupancy is that it may provide greater opportunity for a more flexible cleaning regime which may reduce costs if cleaning doesn’t always have to take place in evening or overnight.
Hybrid working has highlighted that traditional working models are open to flexibility. Business’ cleaning needs may have evolved in some situations but professional cleaning companies can accommodate these changes, and the importance of their role is just as important now as ever.
