How to Protect Your Employees from the Coronavirus?
With the ongoing flu season and the Coronavirus all over the news, it’s natural to worry about keeping the virus out of the workplace. After all, statistics have shown that workers miss as much as 1-6 days of work annually, and even those who keep going to work have reduced productivity as a result of illness. Office environments are perfect breeding grounds for germs and sickness, so what can you do to protect your employees from the Coronavirus?
Disinfect Common Areas
An office desk can harbor as many as 10 million bacteria, so a clean work space is paramount to
eliminating sickness at the office. Wiping down desktops, monitors, phones, and keyboards with
disinfectant wipes at least once daily will go a long way to keep germs from spreading. Taking a swipe at
elevator buttons, door knobs, coffee pots, and other areas with frequent hand traffic is also a great idea!
Washing Hands
Simply washing hands with soap and water has been proven to reduce the risk of infection from common
viruses with up to 77%. If you want to keep your employees healthy and productive despite the rampant
Coronavirus, frequent hand washing will go a long way toward that goal. Hand washing after eating or
restroom visits have proven especially effective to limit the spread of illness.
Allow Sick Days
It might sound contradictory to work productivity, but allowing sick employees to work from home until they
are no longer contagious, is a great way to avoid spreading the illness around the office. This is especially
true with outbreaks like the Coronavirus, when people might have less immunity to the new illness and a
vaccine hasn’t yet been developed. Usually staying home for 24 hours after the fever is gone (without the
help of fever reducers) is sufficient. If it is absolutely necessary that a sick person go into work, wearing a
face mask will lower the risk of spreading the sickness.
Remote Work & Meetings
Wherever people gather, the risk of spreading germs is going to be higher. Staying at least 6 feet away
from a person who is sick will eliminate much of the risk of catching an illness. Consider rescheduling
important meetings in favor of conference calls or online meetings to eliminate the spreading of the
Coronavirus. If possible, allow workers to work remotely. With today’s technology, most communication
positions can be handled remotely. The same goes for workers that perform most of their work on a computer.
Common Hygiene
The workplace might be a prime breeding ground for germs and the spread of illness, but as you have just
read, much can be done to lower the risk significantly. It might seem simple, but basic hygiene is still our
best weapon against any illness; frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home
while contagious will go a long ways towards keeping your employees healthy and boost work productivity.
At BRAVO! we have extensive experience working with a wide variety of healthcare providers, hospitals, and treatment facilities. Find out how Bravo Group Services can help you improve sanitation and health requirements in order to maximize your productivity and bottom line.
Contact us today at 732-465-0707 or visit our website at bravobuildingservices.com