According to the Department of Health, flu season in Australia begins in May and lasts until October, with its peak in August. The Australian Influenza Surveillance Report also stated that last year one-third of all influenza cases were in children 15 years old or younger. The remaining two-thirds of cases were in adults ages 35 to 44.
With much of the working public getting sick with the flu, you may wonder how to keep your employees healthy in the workplace during flu season. Instead of worrying about how many of your employees will become ill, use the four tips below to combat the flu virus.
1. Sanitise Computers, Phones and Other Shared Office Equipment
Look around your office or workplace. What items are inside the building that your employees share? Do your workers share telephones, computers, printers and other equipment? Sanitise these devices to eliminate germs that cover the surfaces. The next time your employees use one of the items, they’ll have a lower risk of contracting the flu.
Even if your employees each have their own desk with their own equipment, you should still disinfect these devices regularly to reduce their exposure to germs.
2. Clean the Workplace Regularly
Additionally, you’ll want to perform general cleaning on a regular basis. Specifically, you’ll want to focus on the following areas your employee frequent:
- Bathrooms
- Break rooms
- Kitchens
- Conference rooms
- Lobbies
Make sure to not only clean the room as a whole, but to also clean the furniture and devices found in each room. For example, in the break room or kitchen, you’ll want to disinfect the microwave, fridge, counters, tables, chairs, sinks and other surfaces or appliances.
As an extra tip, remember to thoroughly clean and wipe down the buttons inside and outside elevators (if you have them in your building), as well as door handles.
3. Ask Employees to Wash and Disinfect Their Hands
One of the easiest ways germs spread is through physical contact. During flu season (and even throughout the year), ask your employees to wash and disinfect their hands frequently. Employees should wash their hands after each time they use the restroom.
If they cough or sneeze, your employees should wash their hands and use a hand sanitiser. Make sure to stock up on products like hand sanitiser and antibacterial soap so your employees can access these products easily while they work.
4. Post Notices or Talk to Employees About Good Health Habits
Finally, either post notices across the workplace or hold a meeting with your workers. Discuss good health habits that will lower each worker’s chances of getting the flu. These habits could include:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. Use tissues or your elbow to cover these areas.
- Get plenty of sleep each night to maintain a strong immune system.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
If possible, allow your employees 15 to 30 minutes each day where they can exercise around the office. You could also provide healthy snack options in break rooms to further boost their immune systems. If you use these two tips, talk to your employees about them so they can take advantage of these options.
Start Preventing Illness Now
To effectively avoid an influenza outbreak in your office or place of business, use the tips in this blog to keep your employees healthy and happy.
Remember to talk to a company that specialises in cleaning services such as those mentioned above. When expert cleaners use quality cleaners to disinfect and maintain your workplace’s cleanliness, you further reduce the risk of falling ill from workplace germ and virus exposure.
If you have any questions about the kinds of cleaners these companies use, feel free to call and discuss your concerns with them.