Ah, flu season. That magical time of year when everyone becomes a hand sanitizer aficionado, and every sneeze across the office feels like the prelude to a week spent in bed. While we can’t stop flu season from happening, we can certainly fight back by keeping our offices and workplaces clean and safe. Let’s dive into how you can make your workplace a germ-free fortress, so you and your employees can stay healthy and productive.
1. Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home
First things first—if someone’s sick, they shouldn’t be at work. I know, I know, there’s always that one employee who thinks they’re a superhero for powering through a cold. But it’s not helpful for the business as a whole.
In fact, research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 90% of employees admit to coming to work sick at least once. Sick employees at work not only prolong their own recovery, but they can also spread germs like wildfire. Encourage a "stay home when you're sick" policy and remind everyone that the office can survive without them for a few days and it’s better for the entire team when they take time to get better.
2. Implement a Regular Cleaning and Disinfection Routine
Offices are breeding grounds for germs if not well maintained. Think about how many people touch the door handles, coffee machines, or conference room tables in a single day. It is imperative that you’re cleaning and disinfecting these high-traffic areas regularly.
The flu virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours—so make sure you’ve got a cleaning solution, like hiring a pro cleaner, that includes daily disinfection of keyboards, phones, light switches, and, yes, that microwave everyone forgets to clean. A good commercial cleaner knows using EPA-approved disinfectants ensures that you're not just moving dirt around but actually eliminating harmful viruses and bacteria.
3. Provide Hand Sanitizers and Tissues Throughout the Office (The Small Things Count)
This is where hand sanitizers come to the rescue. Place alcohol-based hand sanitizers in common areas, break rooms, and individual desks and have tissues readily available.
Bonus tip: Proper hand hygiene can reduce the transmission of respiratory illnesses by up to 21%, so keep those sanitizers stocked!
4. Improve Ventilation and Air Quality
Germs love stagnant air, so if your office feels stuffy, it’s time to get things flowing. Improving ventilation isn’t just good for morale (who doesn’t love a fresh breeze?)—it’s crucial for reducing the spread of illnesses.
Changing out your air filters regularly and using air purifiers with HEPA filters can capture those pesky airborne viruses before they make their way into your lungs. Studies show that better ventilation can cut down the spread of respiratory illnesses by up to 50%. So, open a window if you can, or invest in an air filtration system that will have your office breathing easier all flu season long. MCI Cleaning can help make sure your workplace is well stocked with what you need.
5. Last, but not least: Hiring a Professional Commercial Cleaner
Want to ensure the cleanest and safest workplace for you and your employees, invest in hiring a commercial cleaning company. A great professional cleaning company will help eliminate stress and aid in helping your business stay productive during this Flu Season!
Contact Us Today For A Quote!
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