Another flu season is here, on the tail of the most devastating flu season on record, and yet a recent survey has shown that neither businesses nor employees are doing enough to prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace.
Failing to Prevent the Spread of the Flu in the Workplace
We are not doing enough to prevent the spread of the flu virus in the workplace.
A recent survey commissioned by Staples Business Advantage and conducted by ORC International reported that;
More than two in five employed adults (44 percent) reported contracting the flu last year, and 45 percent of those respondents blamed their colleagues – yet many workers and employers are failing to take proactive steps to prevent the disease’s spread.
[...] employees who had the flu last year took an average of just 2.7 sick days.
More than half of respondents who had the flu last year (53 percent) said they came back to work before they felt better.
The study emphasized issues and challenges from the employer side, citing:
- Only 53% of employers offered sick leave benefits.
- A dismal 51% provide cleaning services for shared workspaces.
- Just 47% of businesses provided tissues.
- Only 43% provided anti-viral cleaning products.
- A paltry 36% of businesses allowed workers to take time off to get vaccinated, and;
- Just 17% permitted employees to work from home when they were sick.
Source:
How to Prevent the Spread of the Flu in the Workplace
The Staples Business Advantage survey underscored a significant gap in the actions employers and employees are taking to prevent the spread of the often deadly, profit-killing flu virus.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
- Get vaccinated. If you choose not to, please act accordingly and understand that you can spread the flu virus to a vulnerable demographic.
- Stay at home if you're sick. Contagion avoidance and isolation could significantly reduce the spread of the flu to others.
- Increase hand washing frequency--at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, dry thoroughly and then apply liquid hand sanitizer.
- Consciously try to avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth during the workday, especially if you know you're sharing an office with contagious coworkers.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and dispose of immediately, then clean your hands/elbows immediately.
- Avoid using coworker technology, especially computers, smart devices, and telephones.
- Avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands with people you suspect of being ill, and;
- Regularly disinfect high-contact surfaces. This goes for both workers and employers.
Source:
Basic Infection Control and Flu Prevention Cleaning Tips
For the nearly 50% of businesses out there not providing regular cleaning and disinfection services in your workplaces--you're not doing yourself any favors, and numbers don't lie--you're not saving money, you're hurting productivity and profits.
- Start by engaging office workers by encouraging them to keep their desks clean, provide them with disinfection wipes to clean their phones, mice, and keyboards, and provide plenty of tissue and hand sanitizer and make sure everyone uses it.
- Increasing air flow, either by opening doors and windows or turning up the fan on the HVAC system will help disperse the flu virus in the air. Compliment this step by adding HEPA filtration systems. Store bought desktop models are better than nothing, but high-flow HVAC filters are the best.
- Look up EPA certified Safer Choice multi-surface cleaning and disinfection products and sanitize high-contact surfaces, such as door nobs, everything in a kitchen or break room, touch plates, water faucets, and vending machine buttons at least once per day.
- Disposable high-performance microfiber towels are the best choice, but regular old paper towels are likely a better choice than dirty sink rags and sponges.
- Make sure to vacuum and mop regularly as well. A recent report showed that approximately 80% of germs and bacteria that enter a facility come in on the soles of shoes, or wheels on bikes or carts.
References & Resources
Takeaway
Studies have shown that trying to provide in-house cleaning services can be costly and time-consuming.
Outsourcing your cleaning and sanitation requirements, even just one to two days per week can significantly reduce contagion on high-contact surfaces that are critical in the flu's ability to spread rapidly through an office.
If you would like assistance devising a flu prevention strategy for your school or business, or would like to learn more about the cost-effective advantages of outsourcing your organization's infection control and janitorial services--contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
