Much of preventable turnover isn’t caused by pay. It’s shaped by how employees experience their environment each day. Cleanliness, safety, organization, and air quality all play a larger role in satisfaction and loyalty than many leaders realize. Below are the key ways cleanliness impacts retention, supported by current research.
1. Employees leave workplaces that feel unsafe or unhealthy
- 61% would consider leaving a job due to a consistently dirty or poorly maintained workplace (Future Workplace, 2023).
- Poor indoor air quality can reduce cognitive performance by up to 15% (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2021).
2. Cleanliness improves morale — and morale drives retention
- 89% say workplace cleanliness directly impacts morale (Staples Workplace Survey, 2024).
- 72% say a clean environment increases job satisfaction (ISS Cleaning Study, 2022).
3. Shared spaces influence stay-or-leave decisions
- 74% feel more valued when breakrooms are clean (UBS Facilities Insights, 2023).
- 60% say dirty common areas make them feel disrespected by leadership (Cintas Hygiene Survey, 2022).
4. Clean workplaces strengthen employer brand and reduce turnover
- Clean, well-maintained workplaces correlate with 28% lower turnover (LinkedIn Workplace Report, 2023).
- 52% of candidates have declined a job after seeing poor cleanliness during a tour (CareerBuilder Workplace Study, 2022).
5. Daily frustration is often environmental
- Employees in messy workplaces are 2× more likely to experience daily stress (Psychology Today, 2021).
- Poorly maintained environments cause 40% higher frustration levels (Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2020).
6. Poor cleanliness increases absenteeism
- Enhanced cleaning programs can reduce sick days by up to 46% (JOEM, 2019).
- Workplace illness costs employers $225.8B annually (CDC, 2023).
Why This Matters for Leaders
A clean, well-maintained environment helps employees feel safe, respected, and supported—and that leads to better morale, fewer absences, and stronger retention. In short, cleanliness remains one of the simplest, highest-impact ways to keep great employees longer.
Ready to strengthen your facility’s retention strategy?
A cleaner, healthier workplace starts with a partner who understands how environment impacts people. Contact Frantz Building Services to schedule a customized facility assessment.