Employee sick days are more than an occasional inconvenience—they are one of the most costly and disruptive challenges businesses face today. Absenteeism affects productivity, increases workloads for healthy employees, strains team morale, and ultimately impacts your bottom line. But one of the most effective and overlooked ways to reduce employee sick days is investing in high-quality Commercial Cleaning Services and Janitorial Services that eliminate germs before they have the chance to spread.
For many facilities, the workplace looks clean on the surface. Floors shine, desks appear tidy, trash cans are emptied. But cleanliness and health are not the same thing. Without professional cleaning protocols rooted in disinfection, cross-contamination prevention, and high-touch surface management, your workplace can become a breeding ground for the viruses and bacteria that drive employee illness.
That’s why more businesses are turning to Assett Commercial Services—a trusted partner that helps organizations cut down sick days, strengthen workplace wellness, and improve overall performance. This article explains how professional cleaning directly reduces employee sick days and breaks down the critical role a high-performing cleaning partner plays in protecting your team.
The Hidden Cost of Employee Sick Days
Most companies focus on direct labor costs, operational overhead, and efficiency metrics. But absenteeism—especially avoidable absenteeism—quietly drains both money and productivity.
The Financial Impact
Research shows that sick days cost U.S. employers billions of dollars annually due to:
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Lost productivity
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Missed deadlines
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Errors caused by short-staffing
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Paying overtime or temporary workers
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Increased pressure and burnout on healthy staff
Even losing one employee for a few days can ripple across an entire team, especially in roles that rely on collaboration or specialized skills.
The Operational Impact
When people are out sick:
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Teams fall behind
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Customer service declines
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Workloads become unbalanced
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Stress levels rise
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Employee engagement drops
Many of these issues are preventable—not through complicated restructuring or expensive health programs—but through maintaining a cleaner, healthier work environment.
How Germs Spread in the Workplace (Even When You Can’t See Them)
Illness spreads in workplaces in ways most people never consider. Without a proper sanitation strategy, germs live on surfaces and in the air for hours—or even days.
1. High-Touch Surfaces Are Hotspots
Think of how many times a day the following are touched:
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Door handles
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Light switches
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Desks and tabletops
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Breakroom counters
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Microwave buttons
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Refrigerator handles
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Restroom faucet handles
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Conference room tables
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Elevator buttons
Without professional disinfection, every surface becomes a transmission point.
2. Poorly Cleaned Restrooms Spread Illness
Restrooms hold some of the highest concentrations of bacteria. If they are not properly sanitized with the right chemicals and frequencies, germs quickly travel through the facility via hands, shoes, and air particles.
3. Dust Leads to Respiratory Issues
Dust isn’t just dirt—it contains:
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Allergens
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Mold spores
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Bacteria
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Dead skin cells
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Chemical particles
Poor dust control leads to coughing, sneezing, headaches, eye irritation, and chronic respiratory conditions that drive employee sick days.
4. Breakrooms Are Major Contamination Zones
Shared spaces like kitchens and lounges are where illnesses spread fastest. Microwave door handles, sinks, communal tables, and appliances accumulate bacteria rapidly without a structured cleaning plan.
5. Poor Indoor Air Quality Makes People Sick
Many facilities struggle with indoor air quality due to:
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Pollutants
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Dust buildup
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Lack of ventilation
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Dirty HVAC vents
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Chemicals
Professional cleaning significantly reduces airborne hazards by removing particulates and preventing buildup.
Why Professional Cleaning Matters More Than Routine Tidying
A clean workspace isn’t about appearances—it’s about health protection. Surface cleaning alone does not eliminate the pathogens that make employees sick.
Professional cleaning goes beyond wiping surfaces. It includes:
High-Level Disinfection
Professionals use EPA-approved disinfectants, hospital-grade solutions, and proper dwell times to kill viruses and bacteria effectively.
Industry-Specific Cleaning Procedures
Workplaces like medical offices, educational institutions, gyms, and large offices require different cleaning protocols based on risk exposure.
Cross-Contamination Prevention
This includes:
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Color-coded cloths
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Proper mop systems
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Sanitized equipment
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Correct chemical usage
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Zoning strategies
A standardized system ensures germs aren’t spread from one area to another.
Scheduled and Documented Cleaning
Consistency is key. Professional cleaning includes daily, weekly, and monthly routines that prevent germ buildup.
Specialty Services
This can include:
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Electrostatic spraying
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High-touch disinfection
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Deep restroom sanitation
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Carpet and floor care
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Air quality improvements
Each service contributes to healthier employees and fewer sick days.
The Link Between Professional Cleaning and Reduced Sick Days
Extensive research supports the relationship between clean workplaces and reduced employee illness. Businesses that invest in professional cleaning report:
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Fewer sick days
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Higher workplace satisfaction
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Stronger employee retention
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Increased morale
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Higher productivity rates
Here’s how professional cleaning works as a preventative health strategy:
1. Reduces the Spread of Viruses and Bacteria
Illness-causing pathogens thrive on surfaces that employees touch constantly. Professional disinfection eliminates germs before they spread, especially during:
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Flu season
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Allergy season
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Winter months
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High foot-traffic events
Assett Commercial Services uses disinfection strategies proven to reduce exposure risks.
2. Improves Indoor Air Quality
Poor air quality leads to:
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Asthma flare-ups
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Increased allergies
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Headaches
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Fatigue
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Long-term respiratory issues
Professional cleaning removes dust, pollutants, and mold sources, helping employees breathe cleaner air.
3. Prevents Cross-Contamination
Improper cleaning methods—like using the same cloth everywhere—spread germs quickly.
Assett Commercial Services uses strict protocols such as:
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Color-coded microfiber
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HEPA filtration
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Controlled chemical application
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Area-specific sanitation systems
These reduce the chances of contamination moving from restrooms to office spaces or from breakrooms to conference rooms.
4. Keeps High-Traffic Areas Safe
Employees frequently gather in places like:
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Lobbies
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Breakrooms
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Hallways
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Shared workstations
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Meeting rooms
A professional team stays ahead of traffic patterns, ensuring the areas where germs multiply fastest are disinfected consistently.
5. Eliminates Dust and Allergens
Even when employees aren’t “sick,” dust-related symptoms cause them to miss work or operate below peak performance.
A comprehensive cleaning plan includes:
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Dusting high surfaces
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Vacuuming with HEPA filters
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Vent and air return cleaning
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Regular carpet care
These steps drastically reduce allergens and irritants.
6. Aligns With Industry Health Standards
Many workplaces have regulatory cleaning expectations, including those from:
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OSHA
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CDC
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Local health departments
Assett Commercial Services follows best-practice guidelines to ensure a safe, compliant, and healthy environment.
Why Assett Commercial Services Helps Businesses Reduce Sick Days Better Than Standard Cleaners
Not all cleaning providers deliver the same value. Some only focus on visible areas, performing basic tasks that don’t meaningfully reduce illness.
Assett Commercial Services stands out because of its structured approach to workplace health, consistency, and measurable impact.
1. High-Quality Disinfection Programs
We focus on evidence-based cleaning protocols that protect employee health—not surface-level appearance.
2. Reliable, Consistent Cleaning Schedules
Missed cleanings create immediate exposure risks. Our teams show up, deliver predictable quality, and maintain dependable routines.
3. Tailored Facility Cleaning Plans
Every workplace has unique risk zones. Assett Commercial Services builds custom plans around:
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Foot traffic
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Industry type
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Surface materials
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Business hours
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Employee count
This ensures optimal coverage and minimal disruption.
4. Trained and Professional Janitorial Teams
Our cleaners undergo thorough training in:
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High-touch disinfection
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Proper chemical usage
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Equipment handling
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Safety protocols
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Cross-contamination prevention
This professionalism translates into safer, healthier workplaces.
5. Documented Cleaning and Quality Control
Our systems track completion, quality, and consistency so facility managers always know what’s happening in their building.
6. Scalable Services for Any Size Facility
From small offices to large multi-building campuses, we scale services to meet your needs without sacrificing quality.
Areas Where Professional Cleaning Has the Biggest Impact on Sick Days
Different parts of a facility contribute differently to illness spread. Professional cleaning targets each area strategically.
1. Restrooms
The highest-risk area for bacteria, viruses, and airborne contamination. Proper sanitation here significantly reduces illness.
2. Breakrooms and Kitchens
Shared food areas multiply germs quickly. Disinfection creates a safe place for employees to eat and recharge.
3. Workstations and Desks
Keyboard and mouse surfaces often hold more germs than a toilet seat. Routine cleaning reduces contamination dramatically.
4. Conference Rooms
These group spaces require high-touch cleaning to prevent spread among teams.
5. Lobbies and Entryways
As the main path of foot traffic, these areas drag in dirt, bacteria, and pollutants from outside.
6. Floors
Viruses can survive on floors for days. Professional floor care reduces the transfer of germs through shoes and air particles.
The Long-Term Business Benefits of Reducing Sick Days With Professional Cleaning
Improved workplace health doesn’t just reduce sick days—it strengthens your entire organization.
1. Better Productivity
Healthy employees work better, think clearly, collaborate more effectively, and contribute to a stronger culture.
2. Lower Healthcare Costs
Fewer illnesses mean fewer claims, less insurance strain, and lower premiums over time.
3. Higher Employee Retention
Employees value safe, clean workplaces. A well-maintained environment shows leadership cares about their wellbeing.
4. Improved customer experiences
When teams aren’t understaffed due to illness, service levels stay consistent.
5. Stronger Company Reputation
Cleaner spaces look professional, build trust, and support a high-performance brand image.
Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Professional Cleaning
Workplace health has never been more important. Employees expect clean environments, visitors judge facilities instantly, and companies with strong cleaning programs set themselves apart as high-quality employers.
A professional cleaning strategy is one of the most cost-effective ways to:
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Reduce sick days
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Protect your workforce
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Improve productivity
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Strengthen workplace safety
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Support long-term operational success
The longer businesses delay implementing professional cleaning standards, the more illnesses they experience—and the more money they lose unnecessarily.
Partner With Assett Commercial Services to Protect Your Employees
A healthier workplace begins with a cleaner workplace. Assett Commercial Services provides the structured, professional, science-backed cleaning programs that help reduce employee sick days and improve overall business performance.
If you’re ready to create a cleaner, safer environment for your team, reach out to Assett Commercial Services today to schedule a walkthrough or request a customized cleaning plan.
Your employees—and your bottom line—will thank you.
