The Physical and Psychological Effects of an Unhygienic Workplace

The physical and psychological effects of an unhygienic workplace can be debilitating for staff and visitors. The negative impact is gradual, but it is inevitable.
If you want clients to respect your business, and your staff to confidently approach their duties with high morale, you need to ensure your workplace is clean and hygienic. The psychological effects of an unhygienic and cluttered workspace can be debilitating for those required to inhabit the environment for the better part of their weekdays.

Studies have been conducted on how physical environments impact the mental wellbeing. It was discovered that there are several direct and indirect impacts on our psychological capabilities.
Various environments were studied and the workplace stood out significantly. Considering we spend majority of our lives at work, it is one of the most obvious spaces that would affect our psyche if not well-maintained or organized.

Sensory stimulation
What we smell, see, hear, touch, and taste – has a variable impact on how we perceive our physical surroundings. Staff entering an unorganized and cluttered workplace feel like they are doing an obstacle course on a daily basis.
Entering an office or warehouse that is dusty, cluttered, leaves clients with a bad impression, and staff with no desire to make an effort. If they work in a junkyard, they are going to treat it like one. Avoid the perpetual problem of this kind of work environment, which can be extremely costly in the long-run.

​Low Morale
One of the common problems with an unhygienic workplace is staff turnover, and more injuries. Employees lose the desire to be a team player and start job hunting if they are constantly hurting themselves on tools left lying around, breathing in dust, dodging clutter left lying around in the office, and getting sick from germs; this will definitely start to affect your business. Take the time to assess your business environment and how you can change it.
Unlike the gradual process of working in an unclean and unhygienic eventually leading to negativity and low morale, the impact of a cleaner work environment is immediately positive. The cognitive effects of staff being able to locate their desks, breathe fresh air, use clean kitchen and bathrooms is extremely understated.
It is understood that the two main points that hugely impact the psychological state of staff are the unclean workplaces, and air quality. Location plays a part too, but staff are limited in their ability to change their work environment. The simple act of bringing in a cleaning crew will make all the difference in the world to how clients and staff perceive your business.

Benefits
A clean, working environment is positive in many ways. There are less injuries, less time taken off work, more positivity, a better impression with clients, less staff turnover, better productivity and turnover, and a major stress reduction for all concerned. Cleaning up at work is clearly less costly than the long-term psychological effects of an unclean workplace.
No client wants to deal with unhappy staff who put in little effort, and are half as productive as they could be. The mental impact of an unclean workplace may seem small on the outside, but can be extensive if this not immediately addressed.
Regardless of location or environment, stay one-step-head of your competitors by showcasing a workplace that any business owner would be proud of, and staff members enjoy being a part of.

This blog was written by Emily Ford. Emily is a Perth based writer with a passion for deconstructing difficult topics. She writes for numerous local publications and has a track record of being awesome . Connect with her on Google +