With many workers returned to their offices, cleanliness and hygiene are obviously key concerns and priorities for the public and facility managers. But so, too, it seems, are sustainable offices.

A recent survey by Essity found that 80 per cent of office employees would prefer a more environmentally friendly workplace.

In addition, around 60 per cent believe their colleagues would also react positively to more eco-friendly practices by employers, while 46 per cent believe the green initiatives taken by their bosses are often an afterthought.

Top staff complaints about sustainable offices (or the lack of them) include a lack of food waste bins; computers left turned on all day and night; no options for recycling used paper towels; no provision for charging electric cars; a failure to introduce car-sharing drives; a lack of cycle-to-work schemes; a shortage of bicycle storage facilities.

Mor than one in four (27 per cent of) respondents called on employers to encourage green commuting. Staff also complained about electric hand dryers using energy in the washrooms and the provision of single-use water cups. And 48 per cent believed that cost concerns were preventing their employers from encouraging more sustainable practices.

Essity Sales Manager Lee Radki, said: “Over the past 18 months there has been a definite shift in our general attitudes towards how to be environmentally friendly. People seem to be taking the issue more seriously than ever before.

“Working from home has prompted people to give more thought to their own actions towards the future of the planet, and it seems many had assumed their employers would do the same. We spend so much time in the workplace that it’s a perfect place to set an example.”