With 2021 off to a shaky start due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been hard to predict what will happen to workspaces over the coming months.
Whilst some offices may remain shut forever, it is likely that more offices will begin to re-open in line with government guidance in the coming months. The new normal for working conditions is set to be a hybrid working approach, with employees given the ability to work both from home and in the office when required. With that in mind, knowing how to keep an office safe from coronavirus is vital.
Unsurprisingly, a reported two-thirds of employees are anxious about returning to work as lockdown measures are gradually relaxed. This anxiety stems from the lingering fear surrounding the risk workspaces might still pose in the transmission of coronavirus.
While it’s understandable to experience a little apprehension as we venture back to the office, at MCS Cleaning and Maintenance, we know that this nervousness can be eased by guaranteeing the office common spaces will be a healthy environment. Engaging in maintenance cleaning and office cleaning practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 comes down to the same basic tenets: having a solid plan and a great cleaning team.
Ways to Keep Your Office Safe from Coronavirus
Before businesses reopen their offices to allow employees back full-time or part-time, they need to implement optimal hygiene practices and solutions. This will enable them to reduce the risk of viruses and colds spreading (which is always welcomed, whether COVID-19 is a concern or not).
Some ways businesses can keep their offices safe are:
- Increasing the availability of disinfectant wipes and virus-killing hand sanitisers and ensuring everyone knows how to use them effectively. As an added touch, good quality unscented lotion around the office will keep everyone’s hands from drying out from regular sanitisation. Encourage everyone in the office to commit to regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces.
- Hiring a professional cleaning and disinfecting service for the office to reduce the occurrence of germs and bacteria in the workplace.
- Where possible, implementing touch-reducing amenities — such as double-swinging push doors, motion-sensor lights and other hands-free interfaces — to reduce germs in high-traffic areas.
- Requiring everyone to clean equipment, workstations and surfaces as soon as they leave or move to a different spot in offices with the option for flexible seating or desk sharing.
What’s the Right Office Cleaning Process?
While most people’s reaction to the virus has defaulted to “disinfect everything”, having a thorough cleaning process in place for everyday situations (as well as disinfection) is highly recommended when it comes to keeping your office safe from coronavirus. But what’s the difference between cleaning and disinfection?
Cleaning is for routine health and wellness. Washing down surfaces using a green cleaner or a simple soap-and-water solution can make them safe by removing dust and dirt. This also physically removes germs by picking them up (either in a paper towel or cloth) to safely remove them.
Disinfection kills germs using a chemical process. Disinfection is recommended only when risk is present. For example, someone has been working in or visiting the office while carrying a contagious illness; it doesn’t have to occur for routine cleaning.
Develop an Office Cleanliness Plan
Following a regular cleaning and disinfection schedule for the workplace is the best way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, as combined, they help to maintain the hygiene of workspaces and the health of employees.
While no cleaning schedule is one-size-fits-all, a daily practice of cleaning high-touch areas — such as desks, chair backs and door handles — along with an intermittent practice of deep cleaning (including things like upholstery, window treatments and carpets) and sanitising surfaces can create a healthy environment year-round.
At MCS, we take all the hassle of developing an office cleanliness plan off of business’s shoulders. Our experienced management team will carry out a full survey of the office premises. We’ll then use our specialist scheduling program to devise a completely bespoke cleaning regime that is tailored to every individual office’s cleaning requirements and requested cleaning frequency. Our planning stages ensure that we maximise efficiencies and provide real value for money, helping to keep our rates competitive. Once we’ve prepared your custom-built office cleaning strategy and schedule, we’ll implement the office cleaning plan.
MCS Cleaning: Our Office Cleaning Services
Coming up with a plan and covering all the necessary areas is great in promoting a healthier, cleaner office environment. Once done, the objective is to maintain that level of enthusiasm within the office. At MCS, our family-run office cleaning services in Leicester can help you to do this, as well as aid in your preparation for the safe re-opening of your workplace by including:
- Routine office cleaning, scheduled to fit your needs.
- Comprehensive deep cleans that go over your office with a fine-tooth comb.
- Ensuring your premises, including reception, offices, stairwells, corridors, workshops, kitchens, canteens and washroom facilities, are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene.
- High standards of workplace presentation for your staff, visitors and customers.
- Office cleaning, undertaken at times that best suit your operations, whether that be in the mornings, evenings or throughout the day.
