Flu and cold season can quickly ravage a workplace, bringing down revenue, productivity, and a rise in absenteeism. Every year, the flu typically affects between 10 to 20 percent of the population with the average infected person missing around 3 – 4 working days, which adds up to nearly $7 billion in lost productivity annually.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses can spread from person to person up to 6 feet away by droplets produced by sneezing, coughing, or talking. Employees can also encounter the risk of infection, if they share the same equipment with other colleagues like a printer, phone, or keyboard. While we cannot prevent the spread of flu and common cold, there are steps you can follow to prepare your workplace for raising awareness and reducing the risk of infection among your team.
Regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
To protect your employees, from flu and cold, it’s important to maintain good hygiene and a clean workplace. Viruses on door knobs, cubicles, switches, printers, and sink faucets can swiftly spread across. Regularly clean these germ-prone hotspots with anti-bacterial wipes, multi-purpose cleaner, or disinfectant spray to help minimise contamination, as viruses on a shared surface can spread to between 40 to 60 percent of the workforce within two to four hours. According to a University of Arizona study, using a “wash, wipe, sanitise” method in the workplace can help reduce the risk of catching flu or common cold by 80 percent.
Clean the air with air purifiers
Air purifiers can help reduce airborne pollutants in high-traffic indoor areas where there is a risk of highly infectious airborne diseases such as the common cold, influenza, and hay fever, and can lead to better overall health results. The use of air purifiers in the workplace is known to significantly enhance employee’s health and comfort, as well as boost their productivity by up to 8-11 percent. In a shared office setting with insufficient airflow, a single flu carrier can infect 15 percent of employees. Installing air purifiers can assist to improve indoor air quality and provide employees, customers, staff, and visitor’s peace of mind by keeping germs and viruses at bay. Consider the sorts of air pollutants you’re most worried about when looking for air purifiers, and seek air purifiers that target those sources, such as mould, pollen, or bacteria.
Workplace flexibility
During the cold and flu season, businesses can implement certain strategies and precautions to prevent the spread of illness throughout the workforce. According to Waterlogic Australia, 54 percent of Australian workers show up to work despite being sick, as they believe they’re not sick enough to take leave or work from home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends waiting at least 24 hours after a fever has subsided before returning to work. If your employee is feeling unwell, consider allowing them to work from home or encouraging them to take a sick day. Moreover, providing employees with flexible opportunities can reduce in-person interactions and minimise the spread of flu or common cold.
Promote cold and flu vaccinations
Getting a flu shot is the most effective way to avoid catching flu and transmitting it to others at work, at home, or on the daily commute. Try to foster an environment in which your employees are encouraged to be proactive in terms of preventative healthcare. Employees who get the flu vaccination are not only 59 percent less likely to get sick, but they are also less likely to infect others. Businesses can invest in launching a free workplace vaccination program, so employees can receive free yearly flu shots, saving money and time while keeping employees healthy, safe, and productive.
Following the preventive strategies outlined above not only promotes a healthy workforce but can also improve your bottom line.
