3 practical recommendations for well organised office cleaning

2021/01/22

You and your employees spend most of the day at your workplace.This is why you would expect it to be kept clean and tidy. However, employees and managers rarely find time over the course of their busy working day to put any real thought into the organisation of office cleaning.

Even if this issue is not at the top of your list of priorities, it is still worth taking a closer look at it. Are all areas being cleaned optimally? Is there anything that could be improved?

This article tells you why a clean workplace is so important and gives you a check list for optimal office cleaning. We also explain who is responsible for cleaning in the first place and how you can avoid disputes over cleanliness. 

Office cleaning

Why cleaning the office is so important

Of course, everyone prefers a clean environment. However, when it comes to expectations of a workplace, there are other valid reasons why cleaning the office should not be neglected.

Which areas should be cleaned and how often?

There are many different areas in a company office that, depending on their use, need to be cleaned with different frequencies and degrees of thoroughness. Our check list will help you to set up a practical plan for cleaning.

Who is responsible for office cleaning?

In order to save costs, a resourceful boss simply makes plans for the employees to do the cleaning work. However, this is not permitted everywhere. In Germany, for example, according to the right of employers to issue instructions, the employer may only assign jobs to the employees that are commensurate with their function as is stipulated in their employment contracts.

In addition, a court ruling by the Mainz Regional Labour Court has confirmed that employees have a right to work in clean conditions. The employer is subject to a duty to protect and is thereby obliged to ensure the employees remain healthy. This also includes fixing any shortcomings in hygiene that may result in damage to health.

To clean your business, you, as an employer, have the option of either doing it yourself, hiring a cleaner, or hiring a professional cleaning service. When specially trained staff are responsible for cleaning, you have the certainty that all areas will be cleaned professionally.

How to avoid disputes over cleanliness

Nobody feels responsible for clearing out the dishwasher, and certain colleagues have been complaining about dirty coffee cups in the sink? In the long run, this petty war of attrition makes the working atmosphere toxic and kills the employees’ motivation. That's why managers should ensure that the conditions are crystal-clear right from the start. 

It is important to communicate that the employees themselves are responsible for keeping the office well-organised and their own desk in particular. Small tidying up jobs can definitely be done by employees. This includes, for example, taking used dishes to the kitchen at the end of the working day, storing papers and folders in the trays and cupboards provided for this purpose, and leaving conference rooms tidy after meetings. 

Sometimes, drawing up a practical plan that clearly specifies who is responsible for which tidying up jobs, such as loading and unloading the dishwasher, and when. To ensure a fair assignment of jobs, the tasks should be split up among all the colleagues.

We hope the tips provided in this article will help you make your workplace cleaner, and one where all employees have a sense of well-being. We would be happy to advise you on the cleaning articles and sanitary supplies that are best suited for optimal cleaning results in your company.