A Cleaner Office = Less Sick Days, More Productivity

Staples Advantage survey shows a correlation between a clean office and higher productivity.

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - As flu season approaches, it may be time to break out those cleaning supplies, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. But keeping a clean workspace may not just be good for your health. According to a recent customer survey by Staples Advantage Canada, the business-to-business division of Staples, maintaining a clean and tidy workspace increases productivity.

A resounding 94 per cent of the customers polled said they feel more productive in a clean workspace, with 77 per cent stating they produce higher quality work in a clean and organized environment.

In addition to being more productive, 60 per cent felt that better implementation of health and wellness guidelines would decrease illness at work. Of the customers polled, 45 per cent admitted to going into the office when sick, thereby spreading their germs throughout the workspace.

While 95 per cent of respondents felt they maintained good hygiene and a clean office environment, only 37 per cent admitted to cleaning their personal workspace daily. One in three respondents said having more cleaning supplies readily available would help maintain good health at the office.

Recent research from Kimberly-Clark Professional echoes the argument, finding that hygiene wellness programs are said to reduce an employee's chance of catching a virus by as much as 80% in an office of roughly 80 employees. Further to that point, the best method to battle bacteria and illness is to encourage employees to use hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes on germ hot spots such as desks, doorknobs, photocopying machines, break rooms, and restrooms.

Staples Advantage is taking this customer feedback to heart. To ensure customers stay healthy and productive this Fall season, the leading supplier of office products in Canada has committed to donating $1 for every order placed throughout the month of October that contains at least one item from their October wellness flyer to the charity Cleaning for a Reason. This non-profit organization offers free house cleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatment, lightening the load for themselves and their families. All of the brands featured in the flyer have also pledged to make donations to the charity. Together, they hope to donate up to $25,000 for this worthy cause.

Win cleaning services for a year!

Staples Advantage is also giving you a chance to get in on the wellness by offering you the chance to sign up to win your very own home cleaning services for up to one year! Visit their campaign page to sign up before the October 31, 2013 deadline!

About the Survey

Staples Advantage conducted an online survey of more than 300 office workers at organizations of all sizes across Canada. The survey, carried out in September 2013, asked a series of questions about hygiene in the workplace, sick days and productivity.

About Staples Advantage Canada
Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, works with companies of 20 or more employees to develop customized programs with dedicated account management and offers a complete assortment of products and services to meet business needs.

As the leading supplier in Canada, Staples Advantage works with business partners to provide office supplies, technology products, facility supplies, furniture, and business services. Staples Advantage Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with eight distribution centres across Canada. Visit www.staplesadvantage.ca for more information, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE: Staples Advantage Canada