How to Prepare Your Office for Flu Season

According to a survey conducted by Staples, over a fifth of office workers believe that illness has almost as much damaging impact on a business as a natural disaster! In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that U.S. workers miss an estimated 17 million work days annually due to the flu at an estimated $7 billion a year in sick days and lost productivity. Those are staggering statistics.

The flu typically starts to escalate in October and peaks between December and February. So that means the nasty germs are in full swing right about now. 

Is your office or facility prepared to fight off the germs and keep as many people as healthy as possible?

Here are 6 ways to prepare to meet those germs head on and head them off before they take hold:

1. Encourage vaccinations. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of influenza.
2. Encourage employees to stay home.  Let employees know that it’s okay to stay home if they are sick. Consider finding ways to help them do some of their work remotely if possible so they don’t fall behind.
3. Make sure your restrooms are well stocked. Having easy access to soap and hand sanitizer is key to preventing the spread of germs. According to the CDC, hand washing is one of the most effective and easiest ways to stay healthy.
4. Do a deep clean. Now is the perfect time to up your cleaning game. Have your janitorial service spend extra time disinfecting high touch areas such as computer keyboards, printers, telephones, light switches, door knobs, elevator buttons and faucets, microwaves and refrigerators. Electrostatic cleaning machines, such as the Clorox Total 360 System, can target high-touch surfaces and hard to reach places that standard application tools struggle to get.
5. Stock the break room with healthy foods. Encourage employees to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies, which are packed with immune-boosting vitamins and minerals, instead of grabbing a quick bag of chips. 
6. Encourage exercise. Regular exercise helps boost the immune system and decrease stress levels. According to WebMD, “People who exercise regularly tend to get fewer colds. They may also recover more quickly than people who do not exercise regularly.”

The flu season doesn’t need to wreak havoc in your workplace. Taking the right steps to prep your facility for the season will increase your odds of keeping employees happy and healthy work instead of homesick. At 4M, we can help you maintain a germ-free office space, all year round. We deliver the best, innovative, safe and sustainable cleaning and service solutions for your business. To learn more, give us a call or CLICK HERE to contact us.