Clean spaces are as good for the mind as they are for the bottom line – and the evidence is compelling.
Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology (2024) found that individuals in cluttered environments report 30% higher stress levels. Clutter creates sensory overload, while clean, organised spaces promote mental clarity, reduce anxiety, and can increase productivity by as much as 40%. The science is unambiguous: the state of our environment directly shapes the state of our minds.
This matters enormously in today’s workplace. Anxiety is no longer a fringe concern – it is a critical factor affecting performance, retention, and wellbeing across every sector. For Gen Z workers (born 1997–2012), the stakes are particularly high. 46% of this generation report feeling stressed or anxious most of the time, and research increasingly links this to their physical surroundings. Clean, organised, and hygienic spaces are not simply a nicety for this cohort – they are tied to psychological safety, mental health, and employer perception. For many Gen Z employees, a well-maintained workplace signals that a company genuinely values its people.
Post-2020, workplace cleanliness has become inextricably linked to health and safety expectations. “Hygiene-signalling” – the visible, tangible evidence that cleaning is taking place – provides essential reassurance to employees and visitors alike. Nowhere is this more acute than in the workplace restroom. Studies suggest that 34% of Gen Z workers experience “bathroom anxiety”, avoiding or fearing the use of office facilities due to cleanliness or privacy concerns. For some, this discomfort reaches a tipping point – and they leave.
Gen Z is also values-driven in ways that extend beyond personal comfort. A clean, sustainably maintained workplace is read as a statement of corporate character – evidence that an organisation respects both its people and the environment.
At Red Alert Service Solutions, we understand the finer nuances of what a truly clean workplace means – and what it communicates. That’s why our services go beyond surface appearances, delivering the consistent, professional standards that protect your team’s health, support their wellbeing, and reflect the values your business stands for.
Ready to make cleanliness part of your people strategy? Get in touch with Red Alert Service Solutions today.