The workplace balancing act


How can office managers equip their washrooms to make them hygienic, sustainable, attractive, and inclusive? Stuart Hands from Tork manufacturer Essity considers how to strike the right balance in the workplace washroom.


Washrooms are often an afterthought in work environments.


When designing commercial buildings, architects focus mainly on the work areas and breakout rooms in a bid to ensure that these are attractive and stimulating environments. Everyone will need to use the washroom during their working lives, however, and the state of the toilets can have a major effect on employees’ wellbeing.


According to a YouGov study published in November 2021, 47% of staff members are concerned about the level of cleanliness in their workplace washrooms. Our own research at Essity backs this up: a recent Tork Office Trend Report revealed that more than 50% of employees harbour concerns about picking up an illness from a co-worker when using the workplace loo.


Around 40% of the 8000 people we questioned claimed the washrooms at work were often inadequately cleaned or subject to frequent run-outs of soap and paper. 12% also said they rarely or never used the office toilets, with this figure rising to 56% when the facilities were perceived to be unclean.


Workplace washrooms should be kept clean, hygienic, and well equipped – but there are other crucial factors to be balanced as well. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to all of us, and younger staff members in particular will want to see efforts being made to cut waste and over-consumption at work. Washroom systems that reduce the use of water and paper will therefore be well received by staff.


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Inclusivity is also becoming a key requirement, which means all washrooms should be easy to access for people of all abilities. The provision of separate toilet cubicles is helpful for anyone who identifies as non-binary.


Many workplaces are struggling to recruit good staff members after the pandemic. It’s therefore important that workplace washrooms should be comfortable and attractive spaces designed to improve staff wellbeing and reflect the brand values of the company.


It can be difficult to balance all these requirements in the workplace washroom. However, the right dispensing systems and refill solutions will help to achieve many of these aims.


An aesthetically-pleasing dispensing system will create an upmarket impression and demonstrate a high level of care on the part of employers. A pleasant décor with soft lighting will provide a welcoming space for staff while also impressing visitors – the provision of extras such as tissues, fresh flowers, and hand creams will also be appreciated by users.


The Tork Image Design Line of dispensers will add to this ‘feel-good’ factor. The units combine brushed stainless steel with a black trim to create an upmarket effect and a co- ordinated look.


Automatic taps and flush systems will help to facilitate washroom use for people of all abilities since these require no strength or dexterity. All paper and soap dispensing systems should also be easy for everyone to use.


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