This month we celebrated Global Handwashing Day on October 15th, a day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of handwashing. It gives us the chance to reinforce the fact that proper handwashing is one of the single-most important methods to prevent the spread of germs and avoid getting sick.
While regular and proper handwashing is essential to maintaining healthy workplace environments, many take this simple act for granted. In fact, 56 percent of people believe they are more hygienic than most in their office and more than half of workers globally often worry about getting infected by sick colleagues.
As we move into the height of cold and flu season, the need for businesses to educate employees about proper handwashing to prevent the spread of germs cannot be understated. No matter what business your tenants are in, hygiene can affect their bottom line. Facility managers and cleaning teams are instrumental in preventing the spread of germs, which can cause employees to take sick days, which reduce productivity or, if they come in, create a less hygienic space for coworkers and visitors. Building managers can help tenants to engage in proper hygiene habits like handwashing, which can prevent 20 percent of respiratory infections (e.g., the common cold).
Yet, this isn’t simply a seasonal need. In general, employees are becoming more and more conscious of their office environment, with 79 percent of employees saying they would inform their office managers or facility manager if they weren’t satisfied with the quality of hygiene products. This shows that quality facility management with high-end hygiene solutions and practices is a huge selling point when companies decide which offices to rent.
Here at Tork, an Essity brand, improving hand hygiene is something we are committed to every day. We understand that the success of a business depends on the health of workers. Our expertise as a global hygiene leader uniquely equips us to help our customers create more hygienic and healthy office environments which protects office workers and allows them to build their futures, as well as those of their communities, and the world.
Here are just a few ways our resources can help businesses put together the best combination of products to make hand hygiene easier for everyone:
- Education: Outfit restrooms, employee dining areas, and other locations where sink facilities are located, with signs to remind employees and visitors of the importance of good hand hygiene. By prompting staff about the necessity of handwashing, you can help spread the knowledge of healthy habits that influence wellbeing and ensure employees and visitors always remember to wash their hands.
- High-Quality Products: Ensure your restrooms and kitchens are fully-stocked with quality soap and hand towels to provide an effective and efficient hand washing experience for guests. Poor quality dispensers often jam and break and low-grade diluted soaps don’t wash germs away completely.
- Innovation: We consistently work to improve restroom visits for your staff and guests. Leverage technology such as the Internet of Things with smart dispensers, and innovative touch-free dispensers designed to guarantee reductions in usage and waste. This ensures facilities are always capable of supporting good hygiene by providing soap, bath tissue and hand towels to busy employees and visitors – no matter the building size.
For information on why, how, where and when handwashing should be done, explore this infographic created for Global Handwashing Day 2017, or take our quiz to test your hand hygiene knowledge.
Sources:
2016 Tork Office Trends Report
CDC.gov