Is your workplace full of coughs, sneezes and throat clearing at the moment? Colds and flu have been rampant this year, with 2018 proving to be one of the most contagious on record. The arrival of the so-called Australian flu (also known as H3N2), particularly, has caused many thousands of British workers to call in sick and spend days with their heads under the blankets.
Keeping your workplace as germ-free as possible should be a major priority for any employer. The health and safety of your staff is your responsibility, after all. But it’s not just maintaining standards which is important. Keeping your workforce healthy, productive and on the job is a prime concern for any business, so reducing sick leave is paramount.
How to get hygienic
Do you want to keep your staff as healthy as possible during flu season? Implementing policies that prevent unwell colleagues from coming in (even if they’re on a tight deadline) is very important. What’s one missed day compared to a month of absences?
But good health policies aren’t the only steps you can take to keep your workplace in fine fettle. There are lots of small, practical steps you can take to help cut down on the spread of germs. Here’s how to reduce sickness with smarter cleaning…
1. Keep the kitchen clean
The kitchen is the place where hands and mouths come into the most contact. If you’re preparing lunch in the microwave, you may leave a used spoon on the side while your meal heats. After multiple uses, this area quickly becomes a hotbed of different germs. If one person is carrying anything nasty, it could very quickly spread from your workplace kitchen. Ensure antibacterial surface wipes are readily available and encourage staff to wipe down any surface or equipment they use immediately. You should also properly clean the kitchen after service every day.
Want to dig deeper? Check out our posts on cleaning microwaves, cleaning fridges and cleaning coffee machines.
2. Wipe down keyboards
We all know that our hands are one of the worst offenders when it comes to collecting and spreading germs, so it makes sense that keyboards are often full of nastiness. Encourage staff to wipe their keyboards with an antibacterial wipe after use and arrange for regular deep cleans of this “everyday technology” to keep surfaces as germ free as possible – especially in workplaces where equipment is shared.
Check out our posts on cleaning computer keyboards and cleaning laptop keyboards.
3. Keep bathrooms spotless
The bathroom is another hot spot for germ transmission, so arranging a daily clean of these areas is very important, especially when it comes to things like taps and door handles. Ensuring hygienic equipment such as sanitary bins, antibacterial soap and surface wipes are well stocked in your bathrooms will help staff keep spaces germ-free themselves, but professional cleaning is essential to removing all traces.
Does your workplace need a hygiene health check? The Abbey Cleaning Service has been keeping the offices of Cardiff and the surrounding South Wales region spotless for decades. From weekly care to one-off deep cleans, we offer specialist commercial cleaning services to businesses of all sizes. Contact us on 029 2067 9323 or fill out our enquiry form to learn more.
