Clean Workspaces UK Announces Annual Hygiene Excellence Awards

Source: Clean Workspaces UK Press Office

Clean Workspaces UK has launched its inaugural Hygiene Excellence Awards program to recognize organizations demonstrating exceptional standards in workplace cleanliness and health protocols, celebrating innovation and leadership in a field increasingly vital to organizational success.

Celebrating Workplace Hygiene Excellence

Nominations are now open across multiple categories, including innovation in cleaning practices, sustainability initiatives, and employee engagement. The awards aim to spotlight best practices in workplace hygiene and encourage organizations across the UK to prioritize cleanliness as a fundamental aspect of employee wellbeing and operational excellence, in line with the findings from our economic impact research report on hygiene investments.

The establishment of these awards comes amid growing recognition of workplace hygiene as a strategic priority rather than simply a maintenance function. Recent research cited in our psychological impact of clean workspaces article has demonstrated significant links between hygiene standards and numerous organizational outcomes, including productivity, employee satisfaction, talent recruitment, and brand perception.

"We've been incredibly inspired by the innovative approaches many organizations have developed to maintain high standards of workplace hygiene," said Mark Abbot, Industry Liaison at Clean Workspaces UK. "These awards are designed to celebrate those achievements, share best practices across industries, and ultimately raise standards nationwide. The organizations implementing these practices are seeing real benefits in terms of reduced absenteeism and improved employee wellbeing, as detailed in our recent research on hygiene protocols and absenteeism."

The development of the Hygiene Excellence Awards program has been in planning for over a year, with Clean Workspaces UK consulting extensively with industry leaders, occupational health specialists, and facilities management professionals to ensure the criteria reflect meaningful achievements rather than superficial measures.

Award Categories and Criteria

The Hygiene Excellence Awards will feature seven carefully selected categories designed to recognize diverse aspects of workplace hygiene excellence:

• Innovation in Cleaning Practices - Recognizing novel approaches to workplace cleanliness, particularly those that improve effectiveness or efficiency. This category welcomes submissions featuring technological innovation such as those covered in our technology-enhanced cleaning solutions article, as well as procedural innovations that can be implemented with minimal capital investment.
• Sustainable Hygiene Initiative - Celebrating environmentally responsible cleaning solutions that maintain high efficacy while reducing environmental impact. This aligns with our guidance on eco-friendly cleaning supplies and recognizes the growing importance of sustainability in workplace operations.
• Employee Engagement in Workplace Hygiene - Highlighting successful programs that encourage staff participation in maintaining workplace cleanliness. This category examines how organizations foster ownership and awareness of hygiene practices across all staff levels.
• Small Business Excellence - Acknowledging outstanding hygiene standards in organizations with fewer than 50 employees, recognizing that smaller businesses often achieve remarkable results with limited resources through innovation and commitment.
• Healthcare Setting Innovation - Recognizing advancements specific to medical environments where hygiene standards face unique challenges and regulatory requirements, similar to those detailed in our healthcare facility case study.
• Educational Institution Leadership - Celebrating exemplary hygiene programs in schools and universities, acknowledging the particular challenges of maintaining standards in environments with high-density, diverse populations of young people, as demonstrated in our education sector case study.
• Rising Star Award - Honoring an individual who has made significant contributions to workplace hygiene through leadership, innovation, or advocacy, recognizing that progress in this field often depends on passionate champions.

A prestigious panel of judges comprising experts in occupational health, infection control, environmental sustainability, and facilities management will evaluate the nominations. The judging criteria will focus on innovation, effectiveness, sustainability, scalability, and measurable impact, with particular emphasis on evidence-based results.

"We're particularly interested in approaches that can be adapted and implemented by other organizations," explained Dr. Eleanor Finch, Lead Researcher at Clean Workspaces UK. "The goal is not just to celebrate excellence but to create a repository of proven best practices that can elevate hygiene standards across all sectors. This aligns with our mission to share knowledge and promote the science behind effective workplace hygiene, as seen in our publications section."

Awards Ceremony and Benefits

The winners will be announced at a ceremonial event scheduled for October 15, 2025, at The Royal Society in London. The venue selection reflects the scientific foundation of effective hygiene practices and the awards' emphasis on evidence-based approaches. The ceremony will feature keynote presentations from leading experts in workplace health and provide valuable networking opportunities for professionals in the field.

In addition to recognition at this prestigious event, winners will receive a comprehensive package of benefits designed to both acknowledge their achievement and help disseminate their innovative approaches:

• A feature in the annual Clean Workspaces UK Best Practices publication, distributed to over 5,000 organizations nationwide
• An opportunity to present their initiative at the CW UK Annual Forum, connecting with industry leaders and potential implementation partners
• A digital badge for use in corporate communications, recruitment materials, and stakeholder reporting
• A physical award commemorating their achievement, designed by renowned British sculptor Emily Thornton
• Media coverage through Clean Workspaces UK's extensive press relationships
• Consultation session with CW UK experts to further optimize their hygiene strategies

Nomination Process and Timeline

Nominations will remain open until July 31, 2025. Organizations can self-nominate or be nominated by third parties, including customers, employees, or industry partners. The nomination process requires submission of a detailed case study outlining the hygiene initiative, its implementation, challenges overcome, and measurable outcomes.

Clean Workspaces UK encourages organizations of all sizes and from all sectors to consider submitting a nomination. "Excellence in workplace hygiene isn't limited to any particular industry or organizational size," noted Abbot. "We've seen remarkable innovations from small businesses, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and corporate offices alike. Some of the most inspiring examples have come from organizations that implemented changes similar to those described in our commercial property case study despite limited resources."

To assist potential nominees, Clean Workspaces UK will be conducting a series of informational webinars between March and June 2025, providing guidance on effective submission preparation and answering questions about the nomination process. Information about these webinars will be available through our training and events page.

Complete nomination guidelines and submission forms will be available on the Clean Workspaces UK website from March 15, 2025. Organizations interested in potentially submitting a nomination are encouraged to register their interest in advance through our contact form to receive updates and guidance.

For more information about the Hygiene Excellence Awards, please contact the Clean Workspaces UK team.