Why High Hygiene Standards Still Matter — Even After COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we think about hygiene. Businesses introduced sanitiser stations, frequent cleaning, and touch-free systems to protect staff and visitors. But now, years later, many workplaces are letting standards slide — and that could bring bigger problems than people expect.

The Hidden Costs of Relaxed Hygiene

Even outside of healthcare and food businesses, hygiene has a direct impact on performance. A recent report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that UK workers lost almost 149 million working days in 2024 due to sickness or injury, with an average absence rate of 2.0% across the workforce (ONS, 2024). Small hygiene lapses add up to significant business disruption, lost productivity, and rising costs.

For customer-facing businesses, the risks extend beyond productivity. Poor hygiene can damage reputation, reduce repeat visits, and even trigger compliance issues.

Hygiene Fatigue — But Germs Don’t Rest

After any crisis, vigilance drops. COVID may feel “behind us”, but bacteria and viruses remain ever-present. Seasonal flu, colds, and norovirus all thrive when sanitising habits weaken. In places with high traffic — gyms, salons, dental clinics, or cafés — even routine illnesses can quickly spread through staff and customers.

A recent Food Standards Agency (FSA) study found that almost one-third of UK food workers failed to wash their hands after using the toilet, and more than half skipped other basic hygiene measures (ScienceDirect, 2022). If hygiene standards are slipping in highly regulated industries, the picture in general workplaces may be even more concerning.

Why Hygiene Still Makes Business Sense

Maintaining strong hygiene measures isn’t just about health — it’s about protecting your business. High standards reduce absenteeism, build customer trust, and lower long-term risks of outbreaks or compliance failures. Customers notice when businesses take hygiene seriously — and they also notice when it’s ignored.

COVID may no longer dominate the headlines, but hygiene shouldn’t be forgotten. The evidence is clear: when hygiene slips, absenteeism rises, reputations suffer, and risks grow. Businesses that continue to invest in visible, effective hygiene solutions — like automatic sanitiser stands — not only protect health but also strengthen their long-term success.