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| ©iStockphoto.com/Dominik Pabis |
The 2015 Healthy Hand Washing Survey questioned 1,030 American adults online about their hand washing habits in workplace and public restrooms, as well as their concerns about germs, colds and the flu. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 65 and older and were were split between men (48%) and women (52%).
According to survey results, beyond the workplace, hand washing among Americans also splits gender lines. Nearly 75% of women say they always wash after using a public restroom versus 59% of men who claim to do the same.
“We’ve looked at hand washing habits for a number of years and women consistently outperform men with their hand hygiene,” says Jon Dommisse, director of global marketing and strategic development at Bradley Corp. “When asked why they didn’t wash up after using a public restroom, men consistently say they didn’t feel the need. We’ve also found men are more likely than women to skip the soap and simply rinse their hands.”
While their hand washing behavior may differ, men and women in the workplace do depend on hand hygiene to defend against germs. The survey found that when a co-worker is sick the majority of men and women respond by washing their hands more frequently. Other popular strategies rely on avoidance including staying clear of the sick co-worker (62%), stand further away when talking to the colleague (55%) and try not to shake the person’s hand (53%).
According to survey results, beyond the workplace, hand washing among Americans also splits gender lines. Nearly 75% of women say they always wash after using a public restroom versus 59% of men who claim to do the same.
“We’ve looked at hand washing habits for a number of years and women consistently outperform men with their hand hygiene,” says Jon Dommisse, director of global marketing and strategic development at Bradley Corp. “When asked why they didn’t wash up after using a public restroom, men consistently say they didn’t feel the need. We’ve also found men are more likely than women to skip the soap and simply rinse their hands.”
While their hand washing behavior may differ, men and women in the workplace do depend on hand hygiene to defend against germs. The survey found that when a co-worker is sick the majority of men and women respond by washing their hands more frequently. Other popular strategies rely on avoidance including staying clear of the sick co-worker (62%), stand further away when talking to the colleague (55%) and try not to shake the person’s hand (53%).