Limit the Spread of Germs in the Workplace During Cold Season

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With the winter months inevitably comes cold and flu season. Sick leave and unplanned absences in your workforce can have a serious impact on your team’s productivity and your bottom line. Here are a few things you can do as an employer to help limit the spread of germs at your company and help your employees stay healthy this fall and winter.

Encourage Vaccinations

The CDC clearly states that the flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu each season. There are several vaccine options for the 2015-16 flu season, and each year brings a new variation of the virus which needs to be protected against. Do what you can to encourage your workers to get their flu shot each year around this time. Let your staff know you want them to stay healthy and productive by getting their flu shots. That may mean providing them with the health benefits that cover flu vaccines, or even providing the service in-house.

Empower Employees to Stay Healthy

Encouraging healthy habits in the workplace starts with the basics. Educate your team on the preventative measures they can take every day that will help them fight germs. These key habits include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying home when they are sick to prevent the spread of germs. Of course, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing will also help keep germs at bay, but it is the simple act of washing your hands thoroughly and often that will help keep you from catching something in the first place.

As an employer, you can put up signs in strategic places, such as the bathroom or kitchen, reminding workers that washing regularly will help keep them and their co-workers healthy. If they don’t have regular access to a sink and soap, providing antibacterial hand sanitizer around the workplace can also make a difference.

Create a Health-Conscious Work Culture

A healthy workforce is one that maintains a health-conscious corporate culture. Lead by example and ensure that your staff are empowered to stay healthy during the cold and flu season. Work proactively to show them that their health is important to the success of the company as a whole. Do what you can to provide appropriate sick time and health benefits to help them stay on track. Maintain a clean and germ-free workplace, and encourage those healthy habits such as eating well, getting enough sleep, and regular exercise that will help your employees stay healthy and happy on the job.

The effort you put into building a health-conscious work environment will result in fewer sick days, more productive workers and an overall healthier environment for you and your team.

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