Why Workplace Hygiene Matters More Than You May Think

8 September 2025

Why Workplace Hygiene Matters More Than You May Think

Making your business more hygienic is a higher priority than many managers realise. It’s easy to overlook hygiene in favour of seemingly more pressing concerns—marketing, sales, or strategic planning. Yet hygiene isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a foundational element of workplace well-being, customer trust, and operational resilience.

Whether you’re running a retail outlet, a healthcare facility, or a corporate office, hygiene impacts everything from employee morale to brand reputation. And in a post-pandemic world, expectations around cleanliness have shifted dramatically. Customers, patients, and staff now expect visible, proactive hygiene measures—not just behind-the-scenes cleaning.

So how do you make your business more hygienic in a way that’s practical, sustainable, and effective? Let’s explore six smart strategies that can help you build a culture of cleanliness—without overwhelming your team or your budget.

Do a Hygiene Audit

The first step is simple but powerful: conduct a hygiene audit. This gives you a clear picture of your current practices and highlights any gaps or areas that need immediate attention. A hygiene audit typically includes:

• Reviewing cleaning schedules and protocols
• Assessing high-touch surfaces and shared spaces
• Evaluating restroom and kitchen facilities
• Checking ventilation and air quality
• Gathering employee feedback on hygiene concerns

You can conduct this audit internally or partner with a professional hygiene service like phs Group to ensure a thorough assessment. The goal is to identify gaps and inefficiencies—then act decisively to close them. For a helpful framework, consider adapting elements from the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE): Health and safety basics for your business, , which includes hygiene-related considerations.

Involve Employees

Hygiene isn’t just a management issue—it’s a team effort. Involving employees in the process fosters ownership and accountability. When staff feel empowered to contribute, hygiene becomes part of the culture rather than a top-down directive. Here’s how to engage your team:

• Invite feedback during the hygiene audit
• Create hygiene champions or task groups
• Offer training on best practices
• Recognise and reward proactive behaviour

Avoid the trap of implementing policies without consultation. As we explore in our article on employee engagement, meaningful involvement leads to better outcomes—and hygiene is no exception.

Implement Cleaning Protocols

Once you’ve identified areas for improvement, it’s time to establish robust cleaning protocols. These should be clear, consistent, and tailored to your specific environment. Consider:

• Frequency: How often are high-touch areas cleaned?
• Products: Are you using hospital-grade disinfectants or standard cleaners?
• Responsibilities: Who is accountable for each area?
• Documentation: Are cleaning logs maintained and reviewed?

Partnering with a professional service like phs can streamline this process. They offer tailored solutions, from washroom hygiene to waste disposal, ensuring compliance and consistency.
Remember, hygiene protocols aren’t static. They should evolve with your business, seasonal changes, and public health guidance.

Use the Latest Cleaning Tech

Technology is transforming workplace hygiene. From UV-C disinfection to smart air purification systems, innovative tools can elevate your standards and reduce reliance on manual cleaning. Here are a few options worth exploring:

• UV-C Disinfection: Uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces. Ideal for healthcare, hospitality, and retail environments.
• Electrostatic Sprayers: Provide even coverage of disinfectants, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
• Air Purification Systems: Improve indoor air quality by removing airborne pathogens. Consider HEPA filters or ionisation technology.
• Touchless Fixtures: Automatic taps, soap dispensers, and doors reduce contact points and cross-contamination.

Investing in cleaning tech not only improves hygiene—it also signals to customers and employees that you take their wellbeing seriously. It’s a subtle but powerful trust-builder.

Empower Employees

Empowering employees is one of the most effective ways to sustain hygiene improvements. When staff have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to act, hygiene becomes second nature. Here’s how to build that capability:

• Training: Offer regular sessions on hygiene best practices, including handwashing, surface cleaning, and PPE use.
• Resources: Provide easy access to cleaning supplies, sanitiser stations, and instructional signage.
• Autonomy: Encourage staff to take initiative—whether it’s wiping down shared equipment or reporting issues.
• Culture: Reinforce hygiene as a shared value through leadership modelling and peer recognition.

As we highlight in our article on empowering employees, autonomy and trust are key drivers of engagement. Hygiene is no exception—when people feel responsible, they act responsibly.

Link Hygiene to Wellbeing

Hygiene isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about care. A hygienic workplace supports physical health, reduces absenteeism, and contributes to psychological safety. Consider integrating hygiene into your broader wellbeing strategy:

• Promote mental health alongside physical health
• Create clean, calming break areas
• Use scent and lighting to enhance comfort
• Offer wellness resources and support

For more ideas, explore our guide to workplace wellbeing, which includes practical tips for creating a healthier, happier environment.

Conclusion: Hygiene Is a Strategic Advantage

In today’s business landscape, hygiene is no longer a background concern—it’s a strategic priority. From protecting health to building trust, a clean and safe environment underpins everything your business stands for.

By conducting a hygiene audit, involving employees, implementing protocols, embracing technology, and empowering your team, you can create a workplace that’s not only clean—but confident, caring, and resilient. Hygiene isn’t just about wiping surfaces—it’s about elevating standards.

Ready to take hygiene seriously? Start with a simple hygiene audit. Use our SMART Goals, SHARP Goals e-guide to help you better define your hygiene objectives, and align them with your business strategy.

And if you’re looking for more practical advice on workplace wellbeing, leadership, or operational excellence, explore our full library of management resources. Let’s build a cleaner, healthier business—together.

Building well-being through better teams

If you want to capitalise on the benefits of team membership at work, look at our teams  resources. Here you’ll find more information and a wealth of practical resources, in our colossal Team Building Bundle.

Containing 240 pages and 50 tools, these are the 8 key guides we recommend to help you do more than define teamwork, build it!

Why is Teamwork Important
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The Problems with Teams
Team Health Check
Team Building Exercises
Leading with Style and Focus
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Making Better Decisions