Beyond desks and deadlines: Why clean washrooms and decent amenities define the modern workplace

By Charles MANUEL-KORBLAH

When conversations around workplace standards arise, most people quickly point to salaries, promotions or training opportunities. Rarely do we pause to discuss the very basic, yet powerful, drivers of employee dignity and productivity: clean washrooms and proper amenities.

As a Human Resource Practitioner, I often remind employers that before an employee can deliver their best performance, they must first feel safe, respected, and cared for in their physical work environment. It is not simply about compliance it is about culture, health, and productivity.

The legal foundation we subtly ignore

Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) is clear on employers’ obligations regarding employee welfare. It provides for safe and hygienic working conditions, which encompass access to proper washrooms, canteens, and rest areas. Too often, organizations emphasize health and safety in relation to machinery or protective gear but overlook these equally critical amenities.

A workplace without clean and accessible washrooms fails to meet not only the letter of the law but also the spirit of respect and human dignity. Similarly, having a decent canteen or rest space is not a luxury; it is a statutory and moral requirement for a standard office set.

Washrooms – More than just a facility

An employee spends 8 to10 hours at work each day. If washrooms are dirty, inadequate, or poorly maintained, employees endure discomfort, embarrassment, and in some cases, serious health risks. In many workplaces, employees quietly avoid using the washrooms altogether, leading to urinary tract infections, stress, and reduced concentration. The condition of office washrooms speaks volumes about a company’s values. No matter how impressive the boardroom, dirty or neglected washrooms reveal a lot. If Management cannot prioritize something as personal as restrooms, what does that say about how they value their employees?

Canteens and rest spaces – Food for body and mind

The Labour Act’s requirement for canteens and rest areas goes beyond just providing physical sustenance. These spaces foster community, collaboration, and innovation, allowing colleagues to connect and share ideas in a relaxed setting.

Unfortunately, too many organizations treat staff canteens as afterthoughts, outsourcing them with little oversight or reducing them to cramped, poorly lit corners. The result? Employees resort to eating unhygienic food outside or skipping meals entirely both of which harm health and productivity.

A thoughtfully planned canteen, on the other hand, signals that the employer values not just the employee’s output but their well-being. It aligns with a broader HR philosophy: when people feel cared for, they give their best.

The business case for cleanliness and care

Investing in clean washrooms and proper amenities is not just about compliance, it is also smart business. Studies across industries confirm that:

1. Employee morale rises in workplaces that respect hygiene and comfort.
2. Absenteeism drops when staff are less exposed to preventable health issues.
3. Retention improves because employees associate their workplace with dignity and care.
4. Employer brand strengthens as prospective hires notice even the smallest details during interviews or visits.

The state of your washrooms can leave a lasting impression sometimes more lasting than your company values.

Leadership responsibility

For leaders and HR Professionals, the challenge is not just wielding role(s) but to set a higher standard. Clean washrooms and functional canteens should not be viewed as costs but as investments in human capital. They are practical demonstrations of empathy in leadership.

If leadership truly believes that employees are the most valuable assets, then this must show up in the most basic amenities. After all, what value is in lofty mission statements if staff cannot even relieve themselves with some modicum of dignity?

Let us collaborate this effort

Employers must commit to:

1. Regular cleaning schedules with accountability checks.
2. Adequate number of washrooms relative to staff size.
3. Safe, hygienic, and affordable canteen services.
4. Periodic audits to ensure compliance with Labour Act 651.

Clean washrooms and decent canteens are not bonuses, they are basic rights; a matter of dignity and respect

Conclusion of the whole matter

In HR, we often preach that people are at the center of business success. But being people-centric begins not in the boardroom only, but in the washroom. An office that neglects these basics undermines its own credibility. As we strive for workplace transformation, let us not forget that respect for employees shows up in the details; fair pay, clean facilities and basic comforts.

>>>the writer is a Professional HR and Workplace Culture Advocate with over a decade (10 ) experience in Corporate Practice. Holding an MBA in Human Resources Management from the University of Ghana Business School and affiliate Member of the Association of Certified HRs Ghana (ACHR). He excels in Corporate HR Policies & Advocacy, Executive Management and Information Management. Contact: Email: [email protected]/[email protected]

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