Workplace Illness Prevention – Businesses of all types and sizes are affected when an illness starts spreading through the office, although smaller businesses are affected more severely due to their smaller teams. An increase in the number of sickness absences, especially at a time when teams need to complete critical projects can be crippling and this is why businesses should do everything they can to prevent it from happening.
Insist on Regular Handwashing
Workplace Illness Prevention – As basic as it might seem, handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and therefore illnesses. We touch our faces, noses, eyes and mouths numerous times a day. If we had touched an infected surface prior, we would have transferred germs and increased the probability of getting sick.
Handwashing breaks the path germs take from the infected surface to your face or body thereby reducing illnesses.
Insist on Proper Cleaning
Workplace Illness Prevention – Managers and team leaders should encourage their employees and team members to clean their stations throughout the day, and before they leave for the day. Doing so eliminates the conditions and environments that encourage the growth of bacteria and mould.
If there is an outbreak at the office, it is always a good idea to call in a professional crew to sanitise the office. Although it is a viable option, calling the crew only after an outbreak is not the best way to keep illnesses at bay.
Businesses can opt for cheaper and more effective sanitising options like UVC light cleaning solutions to get rid of pathogens and germs once everyone has left for the day. Solutions developed by companies like VIOA are effective at killing both surface and airborne viruses, bacteria and contaminants without any intervention from you or a crew. You only need to turn them on.
Have Good Sick Time Policies
Workplace Illness Prevention – It is standard for businesses to offer paid sick leave to their employees. This allows employees who are sick to stay home, rest and recover from illness. It also ensures these employees cannot infect other employees which can lead to complications in the business.
Businesses that do not have good sick leave policies unknowingly promote presenteeism. This is where employees push themselves to appear in the office without contributing anything, in this case, because they are sick. Employees do this for fear of being fired, and they might end up infecting other employees in the process.
One thing to note though is that some people will try to take advantage of sick leave, especially if it is paid. Structure your policies to have remedies for such situations.
Consider Work from Home Options
Workplace Illness Prevention – If employees do not have to be at work every day of the week, you can consider work from home options. Doing so allows employees to work how they like best while reducing the clustering and space sharing that leads to transmission of illnesses.
Also, employees who are contagious but not bedridden can continue contributing even at a reduced capacity to help the business keep hitting its goals.
Once a single employee gets sick with an infectious illness, there is a significant chance that their employees will get sick too. It is up to the business owner to prevent this as much as possible.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
