You hear sniffles as you walk to the copier. Garbage cans are full of tissues and cough drop wrappers. The number of people out sick outnumber those who come to work. Sound familiar? These are all telltale signs that cold and flu season has arrived.
No matter our best efforts at staying healthy, including getting a flu shot (the best way to avoid getting the flu!), we all get sick sometimes. While the workplace can be a breeding ground for germs, take these steps to keep your employees healthy this cold and flu season.
1. Have a clear sick time policy.
No matter what your sick time policy, make sure employees know it before they need to use it. It should clearly state who, and when, an employee needs to contact when calling in sick, as absences go much more smoothly when all affected coworkers are in the know.
2. Keep plenty of hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies in common areas.
Many bugs are contagious before individuals have symptoms, and employees will inevitably come to work when they’re not feeling 100%. Keeping containers of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes or sprays in areas like the kitchen, copy room and lobby will help stop the spread of germs. You may even consider having your cleaning service deep-clean of all surfaces during peak cold and flu times.
3. Educate.
It’s never a bad idea to remind employees of best practices, like frequent hand-washing and coughing into your elbow. A bulletin board or company intranet is a great place to post information about preventative measures like healthy eating, exercising and getting enough sleep.
4. Make sure your employees know the difference between a cold and the flu.
While a cold and the flu share many symptoms, the flu is often more severe and may come on suddenly, with symptoms like a fever over 100, muscle aches, and fatigue. Employees who can identify what’s ailing them will be better able to tell when they need to stay home from work, both to get better and to stop the spread of illness.
What’s your flu IQ? Find out with this CDC quiz.