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. As of November 9, 2019, there have been 278 confirmed flu cases in New York State.
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 to prevent contracting and/or spreading the disease. Here are topics to consider:
Promote 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 ensuring 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.
Disinfect Everything
Encourage employees to disinfect their personal work spaces including phones, keyboards and surfaces. Regularly wipe down break room appliances, water fountains and bathrooms, which are common breeding grounds for germs.
Promote Healthy Hygiene
Encourage employees to exercise prevention etiquette by covering their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing; washing and disinfecting hands often; and avoid touching their eyes, mouth and nose when sick.
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, and rest so they can get better.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
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.
