It's that time of year again, when germs are spreading like holiday cheer. Employees are bringing in illnesses caught from kids at school or other shoppers at the mall, leading to a wave of sickness that seems to be passing through everyone. These bouts of illness aren't good for employees or for the business. Protect your employees and improve the efficiency of your business by encouraging healthy habits throughout the office. Here are some office supplies that are absolutely critical for germ-free, healthy employees.
The Importance of a Healthy Office
One person gets sick. Then another. Then another. When sick, employees are most contagious before their symptoms start, which is why the situation tends to spiral. By the time one person is getting ill, they've already spread it to many other employees. And if employees decide to keep coming in when they're sick, the situation gets even worse.
When employees are sick, you can't get anything done. But you can keep a healthy office by purchasing the right office supplies and taking care of your general office health.
1. Bring in the Flu Shots
First, consider recommending the flu shot as early as possible, before flu season strikes in earnest. Some employees may be intending to get the flu shot already, but may have difficulty finding the time to do so. Make it easier on them by bringing the flu shots to the office. This will help you increase your local herd immunity, lessening overall instances of flu, even for those who decline to take the shot and for those who can't.
Sometimes, insurance companies will assist in arranging flu shots in the office. They also have an interest in your employees being happy and healthy.
2. Break Out the Cleaning Solution
Desks, keyboards, phones, fridges, door handles...all of these items are coated in germs. It's time to break out the sanitization and cleaning solutions. Not only should you purchase cleaning products, but you should also establish business processes so that these items are cleaned on a regular basis. The cleaner your office is, the less likely employees are to pass germs to each other.
3. Place Hand Sanitizer Around the Office
There's a reason why pump-action hand sanitizers are becoming common throughout offices. Place standing hand sanitizers in locations around your offices, kitchens, and bathrooms, so employees are regularly sanitizing their hands. This will reduce the amount of germs that they have on them, and consequently the amount of germs overall.
The more accessible cleaning solutions and hand sanitizer are, the more likely employees will be to use them. Test out different high traffic locations to see which locations make the most sense.
4. Make Sure There's Enough Soap
Dish soap, hand soap, and general soap: it's important to provide the right supplies so employees can keep everything clean. You don't want your employees to run out of soap in the bathroom, because then they may just not use it at all. Consider getting environmentally-friendly or low VOC soaps, which are better for employees and better for the environment.
5. Provide Wipes for Phones and Keyboards
When employees share phones, in particular, people can get sick. An office handset is one of the dirtiest things a person can touch. Offer employees wipes so that they can wipe down their own phone, mouse, and keyboards. This will reduce the amount of bacteria that is around them personally, and reduce the risk of any lingering germs spreading.
6. Add Posters Regarding Healthy Habits
Add posters in bathrooms and kitchens regarding what employees should do to avoid getting sick. Emphasize frequently washing their hands and coughing away from other people. You can post reminders for hand washing in bathrooms and kitchens; not everyone intentionally declines to wash their hands, but rather completely forgets.
7. Consider Getting an Air Filter
Air filters are able to clean bacteria out of the air, as long as they have HEPA-grade filters. A good air filter will keep the air clean and breathable, as well as improving the area for those with asthma and allergies. A good office air filter will improve the air quality overall, and will make employees less likely to fall prey to airborne illnesses.
Moving into the winter months, air quality is going to become even more important. With people stuck inside, dust and dirt can easily build up, and it can make it difficult for people with lung issues to breathe. Now may be the time to invest in air filters to improve upon the general comfort of your offices.
With the right office supplies and the right business processes, you can reduce the amount of people who come down with the flu during the flu season.
