Research reveals the truth about office germs

You and your colleagues probably believe you’re clean and conscious of germs, yet every cough and cold spreads like wildfire. Microsoft Office resource provider Hloom recently conducted research that shows even the tidiest workplace is a veritable smorgasbord of office germs, with some surfaces containing more bacteria than a toilet seat.

To discover which surfaces are the germiest, Hloom gathered samples from five commonly used surfaces in different offices, from small businesses to large corporates. The swabs were tested at an independent lab to determine the prevalence and types of bacteria present. Surfaces included copier start buttons, coffee pot handles, office entrance doorknobs, water dispenser handles and conference room doorknobs.

Rather disturbingly, the results revealed huge bacteria cultures. The levels were then compared to other surfaces in the wider world, and the amount of office germs far exceeds those in other locations. Shockingly, the average coffee pot handle contained 34 times more bacteria than a school toilet seat, while the copier start button had four times more than a pet’s bowl.

There is a reason for the prevalence of office germs, scientifically speaking. The average employee touches 30 items per minute – keyboard, mouse, desk, etc. Each touch transfers bacteria. Employees also work in close proximity, so it’s much easier for bacteria and viruses to spread rapidly. One study revealed that it only took for hours for a harmless virus to spread from the front door of an office to more than 50% of surfaces at the location.

Mind you, not all of these germs are bad. Some bacteria are actually beneficial. However, a majority of the bacteria identified in the Hloom study can cause various types of infection and may even be resistant to antibiotics.

To combat the spread of germs, Hloom recommends age-old hygiene tactics, such as washing your hands frequently – especially after using the toilet – avoiding touching your face unless you’ve washed your hands, and covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze. Clean commonly used surfaces frequently with disinfecting products.

To view Hloom’s infographics and read the full report, visit hloom.com/the-truth-about-office-germs.