When it comes to getting things going again in the office after a long, slow and confusing break where no one was sure if they were coming or going or how to get these remote work tools to work properly, there is a rush of tasks to take care of. There are new rules about spacing between desks, new employee registration requirements, new procedures for dealing with customers and visitors, and new standards of cleanliness.
Here are some tips and tricks to help solve one of these many post-COVID tasks: keeping the office clean. Most of us know that keeping things clean is a great part of improving employee health and reducing the risks of all sorts of nasty bacterial and viral situations. That being said, many aren’t quite sure what this cleanup looks like in practice.
Daily cleaning
First of all, you will want to develop a system for daily cleaning. You probably already have a list of things that get done every day, like washing the coffee pot or cleaning the bathrooms. Your new list will likely include these things, but it will also include a checklist for multiple employees to check off when tasks are complete, as well as a system for things that need to be cleaned multiple times a day, like the chairs in the conference room. wait, elevator buttons or door knobs. .
When creating this to-do list, look for anything that many people touch multiple times a day. This can include railings along stairs or balconies, microwave knobs, coffee machine knobs, cabinet knobs and handles.
You’ll also want to check with the employees on whether or not they want to clean certain things themselves. For example, someone in IT might want to clean the devices that everyone touches to help ensure that no damage is done to their technology. Many staff members will likely need to take on a few extra tasks in their day to keep things clean for everyone. Be sure to keep a list of names of those who have outgrown their typical job to help. You can use this list when you are creating year-end rewards for your staff. This year especially, they are going to need them.
weekly cleaning
Weekly cleaning tasks are those that should not be done every day, but should be checked regularly. This probably includes emptying the company fridge (ideally the day before garbage day so there’s no rotten, smelly food in the bin). It could also include cleaning out items that are used infrequently, such as hole punches. This is also an excellent time for moving furniture clean. While we may be mopping or vacuuming every day, at least once a week, we can remove chairs and sofas and clean the floor under them. This will not only help keep things clean, but it will also reduce the amount of allergens building up under your furniture. Fewer allergens means fewer allergy symptoms for your staff and therefore higher productivity rates. Have you ever tried to write a report when your eyes are watery from seasonal allergies? It’s hard.
monthly cleaning
Monthly cleaning includes the deeper cleanings that you don’t need to do on a daily or weekly basis and that contribute to a clean and fresh work environment. This could include:
- Wash the walls (even adults run their hands along the walls from time to time)
- Clean desk legs
- Dusting off the artwork on the walls.
- Change the water filter and air filter
- Clean fans and vents.
- Cleaning the outside of the fridge and microwave
It may be especially prudent to bring in a crew of outside cleaners for this cleaning, since people outside of the office are more likely to notice when something is dirty. Many people get used to seeing things that have slowly faded over time. Fresh eyes may notice that the trim is covered in dirt and commercial cleaning services may also be aware of what kinds of things need to be cleaned that staff may forget. If you have the budget, it might even be in your best interest to work with a professional cleaning crew more regularly than once a month. Bi-weekly or weekly cleanings are common.
storage areas
Storage areas used by everyone tend to be some of the messiest areas in any office. Cloakrooms and staff rooms that are full of people’s personal belongings are good examples. This type of cleaning is more complicated since it requires the participation of your staff; that is, you need everyone to come get their things and take them home. You will probably have to send out a memo for this and give people plenty of time. A good idea is to tell everyone that they have a set date (in two weeks, say) to pick up their items, otherwise the stuff will be donated.
You can contact local charities to find those that are open to receiving jackets, umbrellas, boots and bags. Many are likely eager to get these items off your hands. Be sure to send a few reminder emails during the period when staff are supposed to collect your belongings.
Look into air filtration
It turns out that the air inside buildings is pretty nasty: surprisingly full of toxins, pollutants, and other particles. Indoor air is actually more toxic than outdoor air because of: perfumes, fragrances, cooking fumes, mold, dust, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds are known carcinogens released into the air from new carpeting, paint, and non-flammable furniture, and they usually circulate for about a year), and even cleaning products. Installing a good air filtration system can improve people’s mood, energy levels, productivity, memory and concentration levels, as well as help protect staff from viruses and bacteria.
The tips above should help you keep your office clean and safe and keep it that way for months and years to come. Of course, if your job requires the use of additional chemicals or products, you’ll also want to continue your regular safety cleaning of those hazards along with the above.
Categories: How to
Source: vtt.edu.vn