With many of us having worked from home for quite some time now, its safe to say weve probably become accustomed to a certain way of life. As a number of businesses and offices start to open up again, are you dreading anything about going back?
This year, our hygiene habits have changed more than they probably ever have. With handwashing becoming more prevalent in our everyday routine and locking ourselves away from the world when we have the slightest cough or tickle in our throats, there are hopefully some unhygienic habits weve left behind
Recently instantprint, the UKs largest online printing company, ran a survey to discover exactly what stomach-churning unhealthy habits we hope wont be joining us back in the office when we return.
Lets delve into some of the worst habits
How many times have you noticed something in the office that has really made you cringe? Whatever youre thinking of, its likely youre not alone! Among the top five worst habits that people divulged was not washing your hands after visiting the toilet (43%), coming into work with a cough or cold (37%), kiss greetings (33%), hugs (28%) and keeping unwashed gym kit in the office (27%).
After a pandemic thats hit every corner of the world, we seriously hope that peoples habits have changed by the time they make it back to the office! It seems from the results that the coronavirus has only strengthened everyones awareness of the importance of handwashing and hygiene in general.
Among some of the other habits that people hate are pen-chewing (sorry to all you deep thinkers out there), high fives and sitting on other peoples desks. Are you guilty of any of the top worst habits?
Who is more guilty?
In a bid to settle the age-old debate of who is grosser, instantprints survey also looked at who is worse: men or women? It seems as though women tend to be a little more hygienic than men when it comes to washing their hands, but not by much! The results showed that 45% of women want to put a ban on not washing your hands after heading to the toilet compared to 41% of men. Would mandatory hand washing make it to your list?
Dont worry, gender wasnt the only factor taken into account when searching for who is worse! In a dramatic twist, it turns out that the department you work for makes a difference too. Those working in HR said they would be the first department to ban any interactions like hugs (43%) and high-fives (31%), with sales teams also looking to put a stop to high-fives too (35%)!
Controversially, 43% of those surveyed who work in recruitment said theyd put a stop to communal hot drink rounds. With many teams across the country loving nothing more than someone else making them a cup of tea or coffee throughout the day, would you agree with this one?
Now that were even more aware of hygiene thanks to the introduction of singing happy birthday (twice) while we wash our hands, do we think our habits will change as we head back to a more normal way of life? Will you continue to high-five or greet your colleagues with hugs? Or is it likely youll be more cautious in the future?