World Health Day is an awareness day celebrated globally on the 7th April every year. It aims to help raise awareness of different health issues and encourage us to talk more openly about them. This year’s theme is ‘Depression: Let’s talk’. According to a recent survey by Manchester Evening News, Greater Manchester has some of the highest rates of mental ill health in the UK.
As a Manchester commercial cleaning company, we thought we would look into how workplace environments can impact employee mental health. Have a read of our findings below and start taking steps to create a more engaging, healthy workplace environment.
Could Manchester’s employers do more to improve employee mental health?
Since employees spend so much time in the office, it is crucial businesses find new ways to improve the office environment. Be it with commercial cleaning in Manchester, or with more thoughtful interior design, there are numerous ways to make your establishment a happier, more productive place to be. Here are just a few of them...
1. Thermal comfort
According to UK Approved Code of Practice, employers have a legal obligation to provide a ‘reasonable’ temperature in the workplace. On cold, blustery days in Manchester (which occur probably more than they should), arriving at a comfortably warm office and having a coffee is a reasonable expectation to have. Likewise, on hot, summer days, nobody wants to walk into a stuffy, unventilated office.
Maintaining the perfect office temperature will go some way to improving productivity and happiness, as energy won’t be unnecessarily taken up by trying to cool down or keep warm. Ensure air conditioning and heating is working efficiently by carrying out regular checks and make sure the windows have working blinds so that employees have more control over their environment (even as simple an improvement as this can improve the wellbeing of your staff).
2. Natural lighting
If you ask any architect or interior designer about the importance of natural light in offices, they’ll likely bore you to sleep about the difference it can make. It might be boring to listen to, but they would be right to speak so strongly about it.
According to a survey by Peldon Rose, only 62% of employees are exposed to natural light at work, but 90% of employees value natural light in the office.
There are lots of studies into the benefits of natural light in the workplace. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern, and it is most common in countries like the UK where we experience noticeable changes in the weather throughout the year. Whilst the exact cause of SAD isn’t fully understood, increased exposure to sunlight is believed to reduce symptoms such as persistent low mood and tiredness.
Let's not forget that we’re all prone to feel happier when we're exposed to more sunlight, so make sure your employees can make the most of it whilst they're at work. Maximise natural light in the office by using an open plan layout and positioning desks nearer to windows.
3. A clean, hygienic working environment
Working in clean surroundings is one of the most basic, yet often overlooked, necessities of a productive office. As an employer, it is vital that you do everything in your power to create an encouraging office environment that allows staff to work to the best of their ability and boosts their motivation.
Clean, organised desks may seem like a small thing, but they give your employees one less thing to worry about, enabling them to focus on the task at hand and feel comfortable every day.
Professional cleaning will refresh your office space, help to reduce absenteeism and illness, and also make a positive impression on prospective clients.
Give your office a refresh with commercial cleaning
We provide expert commercial cleaning services in Manchester for many establishments around Greater Manchester. If you’re looking for an experienced cleaning company that offers affordable rates for customers, contact us today!
