WASHROOMS
THE PROBLEM WITHWORKPLACE WASHROOMS
Nearly one in five UK employees avoid using the toilet at work because they are unhappy with the facilities provided, according to a new study. Lee Radzki from Tork manufacturer Essity, looks at ways of making the facilities a more pleasant place to visit.
Around 20% of office workers avoid using the toilets at work, according to a new report. Regular run-outs of soap, toilet paper and hand towels coupled with a general lack of cleanliness are among the many reasons why employees are increasingly shunning the washrooms. They are now choosing to use public facilities instead - or wait until they get home.
A recent Essity poll of 2,000 workers revealed that 22% of respondents also avoided the office kitchen on account of the splattered food and mountains of dirty dishes they would often encounter. But it was the washrooms that came in for a whole host of complaints including wet floors, overflowing bins and windows that were impossible to open.
Clean, well-equipped washrooms are pivotal to our daily lives – and they are essential in the workplace, too. Employees will find it harder to concentrate on the task in hand if they are unable to take a comfort break when they need one. Abstaining from using the loo can lead to various health problems such as constipation and urinary tract infections. Washrooms also play a crucial role in everyday hygiene since they are the place where people usually go to wash their hands.
So, how can these environments be improved to become more fit for purpose and pleasant to use?
An aesthetically-pleasing washroom décor will create an upmarket impression and demonstrate a high level of care
20 | TOMORROW’S FM
on the part of the employer. Soft lighting plus the provision of extras such as tissues, fresh flowers and hand creams will be appreciated by both staff and visitors.
Attractive dispensers for soap and paper such as the Tork Image Design Line help to create a ‘feel-good’ factor in the office washroom. These units combine brushed stainless steel with a black trim to create an upmarket effect and a co-ordinated look.
Regular cleaning and maintenance checks will ensure that the facilities are kept in a sanitary condition. And the design of the washroom and the choice of fixtures can play a major role in ensuring the facility remains clean, uncluttered and well-stocked.
Smooth walls and continuous floors should be chosen where possible because the grout lines between tiles will quickly become grimy. Automatic taps and flush systems will prevent the fixtures from becoming soiled too quickly with grimy fingermarks. And curved dispensers with no sharp corners or edges where dirt could collect will be easier to wipe clean than boxy units.
A shortage of washroom essentials such as toilet paper, soap and hand towels features high on the list of criticisms about office toilets. Efforts should therefore be made to ensure that these supplies are never be allowed to run out. This can be achieved via a combination of high-capacity dispensers, consumption-controlled units and technology.
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