6 maintenance tips for business offices
Much of our adult lives are spent at work, a place of productivity and connection. There, we form relationships with co-workers and clients, which becomes a literal home away from home.
Is your work environment healthy? This often comes down to the state of equipment and furniture, along with cleanliness and clutter. How your office is maintained says a lot about you, your team, and your management. You want everything to function optimally because it enhances your work satisfaction and increases company productivity.
To help you achieve this, let’s review some office maintenance tips to create an inviting and safe business environment.
Inspect the work environment
Workers need a safe place to conduct business, starting with the building’s overall integrity. Does the plumbing function well? How about the HVAC system? Electrical is to consider. These systems must operate as intended, with regular inspections and service, so there are no issues or downtime for costly repairs.
Maintain furniture & equipment
Next, check the state of your furniture and equipment. Everything has a lifespan, including electrical equipment. Computers, printers, copiers, and other devices should operate as intended and suit your current needs. This doesn’t mean you have to buy everything new. Just make sure they function well and are safe.
Furniture goes through a wear cycle but lasts if regularly cleaned and maintained. Consider the state of your office chairs, as these are used the most and can cause discomfort for employees when they wear out.
Commercial cleaning services
You can have everything in good working order and an uncluttered work environment, but dirt and dust still accumulate. We all know what happens in our homes if we clean regularly, and the office is the same.
Your employees are hired for specific tasks and best utilized in them. To keep your office clean, you need a professional cleaning company.
Commercial cleaning services are dedicated businesses that regularly maintain your business’s cleanliness and hygiene. They are well versed in commercial needs as they offer:
- General office cleaning entails vacuuming, mopping, dusting all surfaces, washing, and sanitizing.
- Garbage and recycling removal to outdoor containers
- Cleaning and sanitizing washrooms and break rooms
This work is typically done after hours, so it doesn’t affect your workforce’s productivity. With each visit, they leave behind a tidy and well-maintained office.
Don’t ignore problems
Maintenance issues tend to come up slowly. While they can be a minor annoyance at first, there are better strategies than allowing a problem to grow. This could be anything from broken drywall to worn carpeting or deteriorating concrete at the front entrance.
Remember, today’s inconvenience can become tomorrow’s disaster, so keep up on minor maintenance issues before they grow. This will also save you money because small issues are easier to tackle and cost less to repair.
Pay attention to lighting
Part of maintaining your office is providing a safe work zone. If there are any dark-lit areas, this can be hazardous to navigate and could even result in a slip-and-fall accident.
Replace lightbulbs when they are burned out and consider switching to LEDs. These last longer and provide a brighter environment while costing less to operate. Take advantage of natural lighting.
This is healthier for employees, as the sun increases serotonin production, creating a happier and more productive team. Inspect all rooms, hallways, stairwells, and entrances to ensure the lighting operates as it should.
Keep workspaces organized
Maintaining an office isn’t just about fixing things; it is also about the overall tidiness of the work environment and how employees store their equipment and supplies. A busy office has people shuffling papers around and using various supplies during the work day. However, this doesn’t mean there has to be a growing mess that doesn’t get organized.
Encourage your employees to maintain their workspaces and shared areas. You can even give them a half hour at the end of each day to get things in order. This will encourage better work habits and leave a clean slate for an efficient workflow the next morning.
Take these office maintenance tips to set your employees up for success. A safe and inviting work environment builds a cohesive culture where staff thrive. Then, all that is left to do is enjoy the fruits of your collective labour.