Photo text: Bradley Corp. Survey News (source: Bradley Corp.)

As office workers in the U.S. continue returning to their places of employment, Bradley Corp. conducted its Healthy Handwashing Survey and found that coronavirus concerns persist, especially as new variants emerge. In response, employees are taking preventive actions. Eighty-six percent are bringing a mask with them to work and 73 percent have been fully vaccinated. In addition to masks, office workers are packing a few other personal protection items: 66 percent have their own hand sanitizer; 39 percent are taking cleaning wipes; and 29 percent are prepared with disinfectant spray.

The survey also revealed that, compared to the general population, office workers are significantly more conscious about coming in contact with germs and more concerned about contracting the coronavirus. Seventy-three percent of office workers worry about getting the coronavirus versus 67 percent of the general population. And, due to the rise in new strains of the virus, 70 percent of office workers have implemented a more rigorous handwashing regimen versus 59 percent of the general population.

The Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Corp. queried 1,035 American adults Aug. 3-10, 2021, about their handwashing habits, concerns about the coronavirus and their return to the workplace. A subset of 513 respondents who work in offices were identified and asked a series of applicable questions. Participants were from around the country and were evenly split between men and women. The Healthy Handwashing Survey of the general population has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent and the office worker subset has a margin of error of +/- 4, with a 95 percent confidence level.

The ongoing pandemic has also led to changes in the work environment – namely how workers interact with their colleagues. At the office, 51 percent avoid shaking hands, 42 percent sit further way in meetings and 36 percent use a video call instead of meeting in person. In terms of hand hygiene, approximately two-out-of-three office workers are washing their hands more frequently since returning to the office, with half washing six or more times a day.

“Office workers are returning to the workplace cautiously—particularly now with the prevalence of the Delta variant—and are personally taking steps to avoid germs and the virus,” says Jon Dommisse, vice president of marketing and corporate communication, Bradley Corp. “The coronavirus has notched up the need for cleaner workspaces, limited contact and increased handwashing.”

Coronavirus Concerns Spur Hand Hygiene Practices

With office workers washing their hands more frequently, 62 percent report their employers have made changes or improvements to workplace restrooms in response to the pandemic, including more frequent cleanings. And, in a sign of today’s pandemic times, 79 percent of office workers believe touchless restroom fixtures are important. Case in point, when using their workplace restroom, two-thirds reach for a paper towel to avoid touching restroom door handles, the toilet flusher and faucet handles. Another one-third use their foot to operate the toilet flusher.

Within the workspace, employers have added hand sanitizing stations and encouraged employees to stay home when sick. Those actions haven’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated by employees. 53 percent of office workers say their employer’s response to the pandemic and implementation of safety measures makes them feel more valued and 35 percent say it makes them feel more positive about the company they work for.