How to prevent illness in the workplace

Posted on 4th January 2024 by jask Media

The spread of illness at work can have a hugely detrimental impact on a business. As well as leading to increased absenteeism due to staff taking time off to recover, productivity can decline too, since employees who are sick may not perform at their best. If you’re wondering how to prevent illness in the workplace, read on. Our tips range from promoting good hygiene to maintaining cleaning and sanitary facilities. 

Promote good hygiene 

The first line of defence against illness at work is promoting good hygiene. Encourage your staff to wash their hands with soap and water regularly and provide hand sanitisers at various points throughout the workplace. You should also advise them to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or the elbow when sneezing and coughing. These actions can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria that can lead to illness.

Encourage vaccinations

Many employers choose to promote vaccinations in order to prevent contagious diseases, such as the flu. The flu jab can drastically reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Even if a vaccinated individual does contract the flu, the symptoms are often milder, and the risk of serious complications is lower. By encouraging employees to get vaccinated, employers can reduce the risk of outbreaks in the workplace. Provide information about where and when employees can get vaccinated.

Implement flexible sick leave policies

A fear of losing pay or facing disciplinary action can result in employees coming into the office when they are sick, which can lead to the spread of illness in the workplace. As a result, employers should encourage staff to stay home when they are unwell. Flexible sick leave policies that allow employees to have time off are essential for preventing illness at work. Policies may include both paid and unpaid leave options, with paid leave typically used for short-term illnesses, whilst unpaid leave may be available for extended health issues.

Support remote and flexible working 

Supporting remote and flexible working can help to prevent illness in the workplace. This is because when employees work remotely or have flexible schedules, they spend less time in the office, making the spread of disease less likely. Employees spending time close together in shared spaces can facilitate the spread of illnesses like the flu or colds. More and more employers are adopting remote and flexible working policies as their benefits become increasingly obvious. 

Provide health and wellness initiatives  

Health and wellness initiatives are becoming increasingly common in the workplace as employers look to promote and protect their employees’ physical and mental well-being. Many of these initiatives can help to prevent illness at work. By providing opportunities for fitness, educating on nutrition and offering health screenings, you can improve your employees’ overall health and strengthen their immune systems, making it less likely that they will become sick.

Consider social distancing measures 

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that social distancing can be consigned to history now the panic surrounding Covid-19 has ended. Experts advise that employers continue to consider and implement social distancing measures to prevent illness in the workplace. Social distancing can be particularly helpful for minimising the spread of infectious diseases such as the flu and other respiratory viruses. One easy and effective social distancing measure is to reconfigure desks so they’re at least six feet apart. You could also add physical barriers such as partitions or screens to provide further protection against the spread of germs and bacteria.

Carry out regular cleaning and disinfection 

Cleaning and disinfection are vital in the battle against illness in the workplace. By regularly cleaning common areas and surfaces as well as high-touch objects such as doorknobs and keyboards, you can help prevent the spread of germs, viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Cleaning methods such as dusting, vacuuming, and maintaining air filtration systems can help remove allergens and contaminants from the air, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and allergies among employees. Adequate ventilation is also important for minimising the spread of airborne pathogens.

Hire professional office cleaners in Barnsley 

If you’re wondering how to prevent illness in the workplace, look for a local cleaning company. Hiring office cleaners can play a key role in preventing illness at work. At Direct Cleaning Services, we are widely regarded as the leading office cleaners in Barnsley, with our team using the best, most effective methods to clean offices of all sizes to the highest possible standards. 

We can clean your office from top to bottom, leaving no stone unturned when removing dust and dirt. As well as cleaning surfaces, floors, windows, and toilets, we can carry out proper waste disposal, removing all rubbish from your workplace in order to maintain a clean and sanitary environment. 

Tailor-made cleaning packages 

As experienced office cleaners in Barnsley, we know that no two offices are the same. Every workplace has unique requirements when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene. That’s why we offer tailor-made cleaning packages which are designed to meet your business’s specific needs. 

Whether you have open workspaces, cubicles, executive suites, meeting rooms or breakout areas, we’ll create a customised cleaning plan to ensure every aspect of your workplace is cleaned to a high standard. We’ll aim to ensure that our cleaning services don’t disrupt your business’s daily operations. We’ll work with you to create a cleaning schedule that suits your business hours, ensuring minimal interruption to activities. 

Contact us 

Now you know how to prevent illness in the workplace, you may be looking to hire our services. You can reach us by calling 01226 977 182 or by sending us a message via our website. We’re on hand to discuss your business’s cleaning requirements with you in detail.