Office workers give germs the elbow

The results reflect the fact that many office workers suspect their colleagues don’t wash their hands after using the toilet. In total, 56% of respondents said they worried this was the case, and 72% believed that if their colleagues didn’t wash their hands routinely at work, it could cause them harm. In addition, when asked where they thought germs were most likely to lurk in the workplace, 78% cited the office toilets, with 69% mentioning toilet door handles.

Suzanne Halley, segment marketing manager at Kimberly-Clark Professional which commissioned the research, said: "Our research shows the presence of germs in the workplace is a significant concern for office workers, and that many go to great lengths to avoid getting harmful bacteria on their hands. Fortunately there are some straightforward steps companies can take to create an environment in which people will be focusing on business rather than the risk of catching illnesses. Raising awareness about hygiene in the workplace is critical and we can help support this by encouraging employees to wash and dry their hands regularly and keep their workspace clean."