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Improving Workplace Wellness: A Guide for Businesses

Premier Building Maintenance


Worman in office working on laptop

Workplace wellness is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. With the average person spending 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime, it’s important to create a healthy and safe environment for employees. One way to do this is through a establishing a holistic commercial cleaning program and wellness culture.


In this article, we’ll explore how a commercial cleaning program can help improve workplace wellness and the benefits it can bring to your business.


What is Workplace Wellness?

Before we dive into the benefits of a commercial cleaning program, let’s first define what workplace wellness is.


Workplace wellness refers to the overall health and well-being of employees in the workplace. This includes physical, mental, and emotional health. A workplace that promotes and prioritizes wellness creates a positive environment for employees and can improve overall workplace productivity.


The Importance of Workplace Wellness

Workplace wellness is not just a buzzword, it has real benefits for both employees and employers. Here are some reasons why workplace wellness should be a priority for your business:

  • Improved employee health and well-being

  • Increased productivity and job satisfaction

  • Reduced absenteeism and turnover rates

  • Lower healthcare costs for employers

  • Enhanced company culture and reputation

What Steps Can Businesses Take Internally to Improve Workplace Wellness?

To improve workplace wellness, businesses can take the following actions:

  1. Establish a Wellness Committee: Create a committee of employees dedicated to promoting and implementing wellness initiatives within the organization. This committee can be responsible for organizing wellness programs, events, and resources for employees.

  2. Offer Wellness Programs: Provide employees with access to wellness programs such as fitness classes, yoga sessions, mindfulness workshops, or nutrition seminars. These programs can help employees stay active, reduce stress, and make healthier choices.

  3. Encourage Work-Life Balance: Promote a healthy work-life balance by implementing policies that support flexible working hours, telecommuting options, and time-off benefits. Encourage employees to take breaks and use their vacation days to recharge and avoid burnout.

  4. Provide Healthy Snacks and Meals: Stock the office kitchen with nutritious snacks and provide healthy meal options in the cafeteria or through catering services. This can encourage employees to make healthier food choices throughout the day.

  5. Create a Positive Work Environment: Foster a positive and supportive work environment by encouraging open communication, recognizing employee achievements, and promoting teamwork. A positive work environment can improve employee morale and overall well-being.

  6. Offer Employee Assistance Programs: Provide access to counseling services, mental health resources, and employee assistance programs. These resources can help employees cope with stress, improve mental health, and seek support when needed.

  7. Promote Physical Activity: Encourage employees to engage in physical activity during the workday. This can include providing access to on-site gyms or fitness centers, organizing walking or running groups, or implementing standing desks in the office.

  8. Implement Ergonomic Practices: Ensure that workstations are ergonomically designed to promote good posture, reduce strain on the body, and prevent musculoskeletal issues. Provide ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and proper lighting to create a comfortable and safe work environment.

  9. Offer Wellness Incentives: Create incentives for employees to engage in wellness activities. This can include rewards for achieving personal wellness goals, participating in wellness challenges, or attending wellness workshops.

  10. Educate Employees on Wellness: Provide educational resources and workshops on various wellness topics such as stress management, nutrition, and mental health. Empower employees with knowledge and skills to make healthier choices both at work and in their personal lives.

By implementing these actions, businesses can create a workplace that prioritizes employee wellness, leading to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational success.


How Can a Commercial Cleaning Program Help?


woman cleaning a desk with a microfiber cleaning cloth

Now that we understand the importance of workplace wellness, let’s explore how a commercial cleaning program can contribute to it.


Reducing the Spread of Illnesses

One of the main benefits of a commercial cleaning program is its ability to reduce the spread of illnesses in the workplace. With the average person touching their face 23 times per hour, it’s no surprise that germs and bacteria can easily spread in an office setting.

A commercial cleaning program ensures that high-touch areas such as doorknobs, keyboards, and shared surfaces are regularly disinfected, reducing the risk of illness for employees. This not only keeps employees healthy and productive, but it also reduces the number of sick days taken, saving employers money in the long run.


Improving Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is a crucial factor in workplace wellness. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems. A commercial cleaning program can help improve indoor air quality by regularly cleaning and maintaining HVAC systems, replacing air filters, and using eco-friendly cleaning products.


Promoting a Clean and Tidy Workspace

A cluttered and dirty workspace can negatively impact employee well-being and productivity. A commercial cleaning program ensures that workspaces are regularly cleaned and organized, creating a more pleasant and productive environment for employees.


Addressing Workplace Eye Wellness

Did you know that March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month? This is a great time to evaluate your workplace and make sure it is promoting eye health for employees. A commercial cleaning program can help with this by regularly cleaning computer screens, reducing glare, and ensuring proper lighting in the workplace.


Real-World Example: How COVID Has Transformed the Workplace Wellness Conversation

Since COVID, workplace wellness has become an increasingly important for employers and employees alike. As a result, Premier Building Maintenance has worked closely with customers to support their internal workplace wellness and employee health programs. Collectively, we have seen the following trends emerge as we collaborate with our customers to improve workplace health.

  • Increasing cleaning frequency of highly utilized areas: Customers have become much more focused on directing commercial cleaning resources to those areas that receive the majority of customer and employee traffic

  • Increasing visibility of cleaning staff: In the case of one retail customer, Premier Building Maintenance has shifted from night-time cleaning to day-time cleaning to improve the visibility of cleaning staff for customers and employees

  • Auditing chemicals and equipment: Customers have placed an increased focus on chemicals and equipment are sufficient to not only combat COVID, but other types of illness

  • Taking a more holistic view of facility maintenance: There isn't one single approach or factor that drives improvements in building health, but rather, taking a holistic view is preferred. Having a robust commercial cleaning program is only one part of the puzzle, but this strategy must also be paired with measures taken in concert with HVAC providers, carpet cleaners, and internal measures around health & wellness.

Conclusion

Driving a health workplace requires a holistic facility maintenance strategy. This strategy is facilitated through a well designed commercial cleaning program that is aligned with internal workplace wellness procedures. By reducing the spread of illnesses, improving indoor air quality, and promoting a clean and tidy workspace, all of these initiatives can contribute to the overall health and well-being of employees. Employers can also benefit from increased employee retention, a positive company image, and cost savings.


Premier Building Maintenance has over 30 years over experience serving small, medium, and large organizations operating throughout Metro Detroit and Greater Michigan. Schedule a free consultation to see how Premier Building Maintenance can support your workplace wellness initiatives

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