Top 5 Tips For Keeping Employees Healthy This Winter
Winter brings with it not just the joy of holidays but also the dreaded flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu wreaks havoc, costing a staggering $10.4 billion in healthcare expenses and an additional $6.2 billion in lost productivity annually.
As an employer, you play a crucial role in minimizing the spread of illness in the workplace and ensuring your employees remain healthy, content, and productive. Let’s explore five top-notch strategies to maintain a healthy workplace environment:
1. Encourage employees to get vaccinated
The CDC strongly recommends an annual flu vaccination as the primary and most effective defense against influenza.
Consider organizing a flu vaccination clinic at your workplace or actively encourage your employees to get vaccinated within your community.
Flu shots are readily available at various locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, pharmacies, retail stores, and schools.
2. Reinforce Proper Hand Hygiene
Simple yet highly effective, regular hand washing with hot soapy water remains one of the most efficient ways to eliminate germs, prevent illness, and curb the spread of infections.
In cases where soap and water are not accessible, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can be a suitable alternative. However, it’s essential to note that hand sanitizers may not eradicate all types of germs.
Therefore, encourage frequent hand washing with soap and water as the gold standard for germ eradication.
3. Encourage Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Instill a culture of good health habits among your employees throughout the year. This proactive approach equips them to better combat the flu during the winter months. Encourage practices such as:
- Covering one’s mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Ensuring an adequate amount of sleep.
- Engaging in regular exercise routines.
- Staying hydrated by consuming ample fluids.
- Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet.
- These commonsense measures significantly bolster the body’s defenses against seasonal illnesses.
4. Regularly Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
High-touch surfaces serve as breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Areas like tables, doorknobs, chair arms, elevator buttons, restroom faucets, coffee makers, water dispensers, and stair railings are particularly susceptible.
To combat the spread of flu viruses, it’s imperative to routinely clean and disinfect these surfaces and objects using an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant. This practice will contribute to a healthier workspace and a reduced risk of infection transmission.
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5. Promote Responsible Sick Leave
The concept of “presenteeism,” where employees come to work despite being unwell, can exacerbate the spread of illnesses within the workplace.
To counter this, foster a culture that encourages employees to stay home when they are sick. Research conducted by University of Arizona environmental microbiologist Kelly Reynolds revealed the alarming speed at which illness can spread within an office environment if an infected employee is present.
Employers can play a pivotal role in curbing the spread of viruses by supporting and promoting responsible sick leave policies.
Conclusion
Ensuring employee wellness during the winter months is not only beneficial for your workforce but also essential for maintaining a productive and efficient workplace.
By following these five strategies—promoting vaccination, reinforcing proper hand hygiene, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and promoting responsible sick leave policies—you can create a work environment that prioritizes the health and well-being of your employees.
If you require assistance keeping employees healthy and maintaining a clean workspace, feel free to reach out to us. Our comprehensive cleaning solutions at Buildingstars are designed to foster cleaner, healthier workspaces, allowing you to focus on the core aspects of your business.
FAQ
The most effective way to protect employees from the flu during the winter is to promote yearly flu vaccinations. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated as the first line of defense against influenza.
While hand sanitizers can be useful when soap and water are unavailable, they may not eliminate all types of germs. Handwashing with hot soapy water remains the best way to remove germs and prevent sickness.
To stay healthy during flu season, it’s important to practice good health habits such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, getting enough sleep, regular exercise, staying hydrated, and maintaining a balanced diet.
High-touch surfaces in the workplace, such as doorknobs, tables, and elevator buttons, should be routinely cleaned and disinfected. Using an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant is recommended to prevent the spread of flu viruses.
Encouraging employees to stay home when they’re sick is crucial to prevent the spread of illness in the workplace. “Presenteeism,” or working while sick, can lead to the rapid transmission of viruses, posing a risk to coworkers and overall productivity.