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Top 5 Workplace Hygiene Irritations: Insights from SCA's Employee Survey

Common greetings like handshakes or three kisses on the cheek make many uncomfortable hygienically—one-third of office workers feel this way. Sneezing or coughing colleagues annoy 47%, while half of employees are bothered by coworkers' odors. These findings come from a SCA survey, conducted by the trusted hygiene products leader.

Top 5 Annoyances
Three-quarters of respondents say poor hygiene negatively affects employee happiness and performance. Nearly half view themselves as more hygienic than peers. The biggest irritants include:

  • Finding colleagues' hair on the sink or bathroom floor (64%)
  • Dirty-looking or smelly clothes (63%)
  • Crumbs or stains from others' food/drink (61%)
  • Colleagues not cleaning up after themselves (54%)
  • Sharing toilets with unknown visitors (45%)

Over a third fear infection from sick coworkers and urge employers to provide hand sanitizing gel. Half prefer private workspaces; while 20% enjoy shared spaces, 44% of flexworkers worry about desk cleanliness left by predecessors.