35 Percent Claim They Work In An Unsafe Environment

Results of a recent survey reveal that 35% of respondents believe they work in an unsafe environment, while 20% would describe their co-workers as 'dangerous'.

The survey of 1,000 UK workers conducted on behalf of Resource GB, a support services company, identified that 40% of UK employers have cut their cleaning and maintenance budgets since the beginning of the recession.

Amongst the findings, Resource’s survey found that:

* 28% of office workers would describe their workplace as dirty;
* 58% of people described their work toilet facilities as ‘adequate at best’ and 10% as ‘filthy;
* 34% believe their co-workers have poor personal hygiene (rising to 43% in the financial sector);
* 27% say their colleagues do not clean up after themselves;
* 18% are distracted by colleagues’ clutter;
* 35% believe they work in an unsafe environment; and
* 21% would describe their colleagues as dangerous (rising to 24% amongst public sector respondents and 48% for those in the transport sector).

Half of the employees surveyed said that they are now embarrassed about clients and customers visiting their workplace because of its presentation and cleanliness. A further 40% said that clients and customers had noticed their premises’ deteriorating appearance.

Asked what improvement to their physical environment would increase their productivity and wellbeing the most, 45% of employees opted for more natural light. More than a third (37%) of those working in the financial sector opted to have more plants.