Workplaces should be organized, neat, comfortable, and convenient for customers, visitors  and employees. Unfortunately, these days many entrepreneurs pay less attention to workplace hygiene and more to making profits. They fail to understand that an unclean workplace can affect employers' health and hinder workplace productivity. When that happens, profit might dwindle.

At a time when the world is recovering from a global pandemic, cleanliness in the workplace is a must. Here are four workplace hygiene every female entrepreneur needs to know and implement.

Importance of Workplace hygiene

Good workplace hygiene contributes to a healthy workforce. And a healthy workforce will result in increased productivity and efficiency. When the workplace is healthy, workers tend to fall sick less often, thereby resulting in less sick leave, which saves your business money.

If keeping good workplace hygiene has always been an issue for you, here are some tips that might help.

1.     Cleanliness should be a priority.

Some female entrepreneurs go the extra mile to keep their homes neat and hygienic. However, when it comes to their workplace, you find them wanting. Workplace hygiene is a practice that must be taken seriously, not for the sake of your reputation but also the health and safety of your staff, visitors, and customers.

One of the best ways to guarantee workplace hygiene is by prioritizing cleanliness. You can do this by implementing hygiene policies and fines for individuals that defy them. Adopting this technique will encourage complete compliance among your employees.

2.     Hire cleaning services

You and your employees can perform little tasks to keep the office hygienic. But, when it comes to more complex cleaning tasks, you'll need the assistance of a cleaning service to keep the office neat, fresh, and hygienic. Of course, these professionals are experts in keeping a place clean. And yes, they have the time and equipment needed to clean and  freshen up your workplace.

Your job as a business owner is to take their advice or recommendations and implement them accordingly. If you are told to purchase industrial paper towels for your toilet or mini garbage for every employer's desk, don't hesitate to do it. The same with doormats and other items designed to maintain a healthy and hygienic working environment.

3.    Keep air fresheners nearby

Cleaning your office isn’t enough. You need to ensure that it smells nice. One of the best ways to do that is by purchasing quality air fresheners and placing them at strategic  locations in your office. However, please don't overuse air fresheners, so they don't overwhelm employees and customers.

4.     Provide adequate hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizers are a must-have for all businesses, given the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus. These antiseptics effectively reduce microbial counts and destroy harmful germs that could infect workers with the flu and other viruses.

According to statistics, the average person touches a surface that exposes them to 840,000 germs every 30 minutes; hence, providing hand sanitizers in strategic areas of your workplace will reduce the exposure of customers and employees to harmful germs. Common areas to place hand sanitizers are:

• Bathrooms
• Dining area
• All workplace entrances

Finally

An unclean workplace is a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, which creates an unpleasant environment for you, your employees, and your customers. Prioritizing workplace hygiene will reduce sick leave, increase workforce potential and boost productivity.