Unilever Professional

For most businesses, cleaning is treated as a background function, something that happens before or after hours so the workplace looks presentable. But for HR Managers and Facility Managers, the implications of getting it wrong go well beyond appearances.

The condition of shared spaces directly influences absenteeism rates, employee retention and how your organisation is perceived as an employer. In a competitive talent market, the physical environment you maintain sends a signal about whether your business is serious about staff wellbeing and that signal is visible to both current employees and prospective recruits.

A well-maintained workplace will not resolve every operational or engagement challenge. However, it can meaningfully reduce avoidable sick days, lower turnover risk and demonstrate to your workforce and to candidates evaluating your organisation, that the business invests in its people rather than cutting corners.

Absenteeism, Continuity and the Hidden Cost of an Unclean Workplace

A cluttered desk, dusty meeting room or poorly maintained staff kitchen may seem like a minor inconvenience. Across an entire working week, however, these small issues can become ongoing distractions.

Employees work best when their surroundings allow them to focus on the task in front of them. Clean, organised and well-maintained spaces can reduce visual clutter and make it easier for staff to move through their day without dealing with unnecessary friction.

There is also a powerful signalling effect that matters for retention and employer brand. A workplace that is consistently maintained shows employees that standards matter and that the organisation is willing to invest in their day-to-day experience. In a market where staff expectations around workplace quality are rising, this kind of visible commitment contributes to how employees feel about where they work and whether they choose to stay.

When considering how workplace cleanliness can support employee productivity in New Zealand, the benefit is rarely tied to one dramatic change. It comes from creating an environment where desks, kitchens, amenities and meeting spaces are maintained to a consistent standard.

Reducing Sick Days and Managing Hygiene Risk

Shared desks, kitchen benches, door handles, lift buttons and meeting room equipment are touched by many people throughout the day. Without regular cleaning, these high-contact areas can contribute to the transfer of germs between colleagues.

Cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces as part of a consistent routine can help facilities teams manage one of the more controllable hygiene risks within a workplace.

Choosing the right products for each task matters. Jif Professional is trusted by New Zealand workplaces for reliable surface cleaning across kitchens and amenities, while Domestos Professional provides hospital-grade disinfection for the high-contact areas that carry the greatest hygiene risk. For a practical guide to which areas in your facility need the most frequent attention, see our article on the 11 high-touch areas most facilities miss.

Cleaning alone cannot prevent every workplace illness. However, maintaining shared spaces, encouraging good hygiene practices and giving high-touch areas regular attention can help create a healthier environment for staff.

What Cleanliness Signals to Your Team and Your Future Hires

The condition of a workplace contributes to the overall employee experience.

Grubby bathrooms, sticky kitchen surfaces, overflowing bins and dusty communal equipment can send a quiet but persistent message that these areas are not a priority. In contrast, a consistently maintained workplace can help employees feel that their comfort and wellbeing are being considered.

This care should also extend to the people responsible for maintaining the facility. Equipping your cleaning team with trusted, professional-grade products is itself a signal, one that reflects the standards the organisation expects and is willing to fund. Choosing premium solutions over generic alternatives demonstrates that quality and staff wellbeing are genuine priorities, not just stated ones.

Investing in professional-grade laundry solutions for staff workwear and facility textiles is part of the same commitment. Persil Professional can help tackle heavy soiling and stains, while Comfort supports softness and freshness across frequently washed fabrics.

Cleanliness alone will not resolve deeper cultural or organisational issues but a poorly maintained workplace can actively undermine retention by signalling that the business is not invested in its people. In a competitive talent market, that is a risk HR and Facility Managers are in a position to address.

The Importance of Scent and Visual Cleanliness

Cleanliness is not only about what employees can or cannot see on a surface. The way a workplace looks and smells also shapes how people experience it.

Streak-free glass, tidy communal spaces, clean amenities and organised staff areas can make a workplace feel calmer and more controlled. A neutral or fresh-smelling environment can also help reinforce the impression that the facility is being properly maintained.

The goal is not to overwhelm a workplace with strong fragrances. It is to create an environment that feels clean, comfortable and appropriate for the people using it.

These sensory details may appear small, but together they influence how employees and visitors perceive the standard of the workplace.

Turning Cleanliness Into a Consistent Routine

Supporting a cleaner workplace does not always require a complete overhaul. In many cases, the greatest improvements come from strengthening everyday routines.

Facilities teams can start by:

• Identifying the most frequently touched surfaces in each area
• Scheduling kitchens, bathrooms and communal spaces for regular attention
• Using products suited to each surface and cleaning task
• Reviewing product choices to ensure your team is equipped with professional-grade solutions rather than consumer alternatives
• Assigning clear responsibilities for daily, weekly and periodic cleaning
• Checking standards regularly rather than waiting for visible problems

The most effective cleaning programmes are not limited to occasional deep cleans. They build cleanliness into the way the workplace operates every day.

Most of the Unilever Professional range is available at Bunnings, helping New Zealand facilities teams keep essential cleaning and laundry products readily stocked.

For practical guidance on where to focus your facility’s cleaning efforts, read our article on the 11 high-touch areas most facilities miss. Ready to make cleanliness a strategic priority, not just a maintenance task?

Download, print or share our Clean Workplace Culture Checklist with your facilities team and use it to identify practical improvements across your workplace.