More and more businesses throughout the United Kingdom have adapted a hybrid work model, using what is known as “hot desking.” Hot desks are shared work spaces where everyone can book a desk, based on when they intend working on-site. Hybrid work models enable employees to work at home and in the office, as needed. It provides employees with the knowledge there is a desk available when they visit the office.
With shared spaces comes the high risk of hygiene. This does not mean an employees personal hygiene, it means the state of the desk that will be used by a number of employees throughout the day.
Hot desking is not certain, you have no idea who used the desk before you or who will use it when you leave the office. This is why it's essential to maintain hygiene is shared spaces, keeping the desk clean and reducing the risk of spreading germs and bacteria.
While you can tell employees to keep the desk neat and tidy, so when they leave it is ready for the next employee, you also have to focus heavily on hygiene. During the springtime, employees may suffer from allergies, while during winter, they may have a cold. There is always some bug going around. Having a clean and healthy office environment, ensures all your employees remain healthy and productive.
In order to create an office environment where employed are happy to visit, you need to reduce their fears, providing them with a clean and hygienic environment where they can work. Desks must be clean and sanitised before and after use by each employee. In order to make this happen, you need to look closely at your office cleaning schedule, taking measures to ensure a hygienic desk for your hot desking model.
If you are using the hot desking model, you may have moved to smaller offices, as your employees are not spending all their time on-site. This is not an excuse to push desks closely together, in fact, you want the opposite. Distancing not only increases safety, but it offers your employees a sense of security. With desks at least six feet apart, the risk of spreading germs and viruses is reduced.
When you keep desks apart, it provides your employees with some quiet space, enabling them to get their work desk. The most common disruption in any office environment is a nearby co-worker having a conversation.
It is advisable to set a schedule for employees, so they know there is a desk ready for them when they arrive at the office. When setting the schedule, leaving some time between an employee leaving and the next arriving, to ensure the desk can be cleaned and sanitised. The desk, workstation, telephone, and any other equipment should be cleaned and disinfected. This only takes a short time to complete.
Many companies have found that they make hygiene even easier by providing employees with the tools they need to keep their desks clean when using them, such as sanitiser for their hands. There should be disinfectant that anyone can use as needed. When you make cleaning and sanitising products readily available, employees are more likely to use them.
Hygiene within an office environment is an important issue, especially when you provide shared spaces. Keeping your office clean is essential and can be easily achieved with the assistance of an experienced professional office cleaning company, helping you keep your office environment clean, neat, and healthy.