Cleaning a Top Priority for Americans Returning to Work, Survey Finds

As the new coronavirus omicron variant continues to spread across the country, a new survey of 1,600 Americans reveals a clean workplace is still a top priority for those returning to work.

 The survey conducted by the Cleaning Coalition of America finds that U.S. workers increasingly value enhanced cleaning of the workplace and feel safer seeing professional cleaners on-site—a sentiment shared by both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans.

Fielded in late October, the survey examined the perceptions of 1,099 vaccinated and 501 unvaccinated workers to understand expectations surrounding return-to-work as businesses continue to reopen. 

An overwhelming majority—93.4%—of vaccinated respondents and 82.2% of unvaccinated respondents cited workplace cleaning protocols as important as employees return to the office, with 77.2% of workers wanting the workplace cleaned daily.

“American workers experienced a turbulent year that has forever changed their expectations around workplace safety,” Cleaning Coalition of America President Josh Feinberg said in a December 9 survey results announcement. “As employees return to the workplace, it is more critical than ever that businesses rethink their cleaning best practices and adopt a more holistic view of safety that prioritizes worker well-being. Both current and prospective employees need to know that their employer will not sacrifice worker health for an improved bottom line.”

Almost two years into the pandemic, nearly half of Americans—43%— still have lingering concerns about returning to the workplace. In fact, 38.3% of respondents would consider changing their jobs if the workplace was not cleaned properly. However, a clean workplace is not the only concern, with respondents citing COVID-19 infection rates as a primary impediment to returning to in-person work. 

 “With employees worried about contracting COVID-19 or other illnesses, businesses are facing an uphill battle in attracting workers back to the workplace and must go the extra mile to build confidence,” said Collins Building Services Inc. President Kenneth J. Collins. “While many businesses previously put an emphasis on cleaning for appearance, cleaning for health must be the new standard for any shared space.”

Key survey findings

As businesses reopen, Americans have lingering concerns about the safety of the workplace.

• 43% believe that returning to the workplace could pose a risk to their health and safety 
• 38.3% would consider changing their jobs if the workplace was not cleaned frequently.

Americans are putting increased emphasis on the cleanliness of the workplace, a trend that will likely continue far beyond the pandemic.

• 89.9% believe workplace cleaning protocols are very or somewhat important
• 77.2% believe the workplace should be cleaned at least once a day.

With the pandemic increasing worker anxiety, both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans find comfort in knowing their office is being cleaned regularly.

• 62.1% believe that seeing professional cleaners at the workplace would make them feel safer and more protected from contracting COVID-19
• 47.1% cite regular disinfecting of shared spaces as the most important step employers can take to make workers feel safe
• 47.5% have asked their employer about their company’s cleaning protocols.

Still, cleaning is not the only impediment to returning to the office. 

• 35.2% of respondents say COVID-19 infection rates are the greatest impediment to returning to the office 
• 17.4% of respondents say vaccination rates are the greatest impediment to returning to the office.