Flu season is upon us. It’s time to implement effective ways to keep ourselves, and others healthy in the office. The flu can easily be spread in any environment. One of the most common places to catch the flu or any contagious disease, is at the office. Working five days a week in the confines of an office surrounded by coworkers can create a flu breeding ground. All it takes is one person to infect an entire workspace.
According to the CDC, the flu causes roughly 17 million missed work days in the United States. That equates to an estimated $7 billion in annual sick days. While the flu is active, you can maintain a healthy office environment and reduce the amount of sick days by educating your employees. Hold a team meeting at the start of the flu season to discuss ways how to prevent the flu from spreading in your workplace.
Know How the Flu Is Transmitted
Knowing how the flu spreads is key to controlling it in the workplace. The flu virus is primarily transmitted through droplets that are released when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or be inhaled into the lungs. Flu viruses can also spread by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
In an office setting, shared spaces and equipment like break rooms, door handles, phones, and keyboards are hotspots for germs. This makes it needed to regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces and promote healthy hygiene practices among employees.
How to Prevent the Flu from Spreading
Promote Flu Vaccination
Getting vaccinated in the fall is the single best way to prevent a flu outbreak. Encourage employees, as well as their family members (6-months and older), to get their flu shots.
Host a Flu Shot Clinic
Take the endorsement of flu shots one step further by making sure employees have easy access to vaccination. A simple search of “on-site flu shot clinics” will provide you with several agencies to research and potentially work with.
Offering on-site flu shot clinics is a great way to increase vaccination rates within the workplace. Making vaccinations easily accessible can encourage more employees to participate. This lowers the overall risk of a flu outbreak. A simple search for "on-site flu shot clinics" will bring you several options to research and partner with to offer this service.
Disinfect Everything
Encourage employees to disinfect their personal workspaces including phones, keyboards, and surfaces. Regularly wipe down break room appliances, water fountains, and bathrooms. These areas are common breeding grounds for germs.
To further enhance flu prevention efforts, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. A service that specializes in disinfection can make sure that high-touch surfaces and communal areas are thoroughly cleaned throughout the day. This can reduce the chances of the flu virus lingering on surfaces.
Promote Healthy Hygiene Practices
Promoting good hygiene among employees is necessary for preventing the flu from spreading. Encourage employees to:
Cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching shared surfaces.
Avoid touching their faces (eyes, nose, and mouth) to minimize the chances of transmitting germs.
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.
Installing hand sanitizer stations around the office can encourage employees to clean their hands regularly and reduce the spread of germs.
Encourage Sick Workers to Stay Home
Yes, it’s a lost day of work, but it’s better to have a sick employee home recovering from their illness rather than at the office sharing it. Remind employees that if they have flu-like symptoms, they should see a healthcare provider. If needed, they should rest so they can get better.
It’s also helpful to have a flexible sick leave policy in place. This encourages employees to take the time they need to recover rather than forcing them to come to work while contagious.
The Importance of Clean Workspaces
A clean workspace is necessary to prevent the spread of the flu. The flu virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, making it essential to disinfect frequently touched surfaces throughout the day. This includes doorknobs, light switches, phones, and communal areas like break rooms and meeting rooms.
Hiring a day porter service can significantly help in maintaining a clean office environment. A day porter brings ongoing cleaning throughout the day. They can make sure that high-touch areas are continuously disinfected and that any spills or messes are addressed promptly. Day porters can help reduce the presence of germs on surfaces. This ultimately minimizes the risk of flu transmission in the office.
Preventing the flu from spreading in the workplace requires a combination of proactive strategies. This includes promoting vaccinations, disinfecting high-touch areas, and encouraging good hygiene practices.
Cleantec’s day porter services provide continuous cleaning and disinfection throughout the day. We make sure that your office stays germ-free and your employees stay healthy. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your business from the flu and other illnesses.
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Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
