Stopping the Office Flu in its Tracks
The office flu can spread quickly in workplace settings when employees are working in close proximity. Coming down with influenza can result not only in misery for affected employees, but lost productivity and absenteeism issues for companies.
By implementing flu prevention strategies in the office, both individual employees and organizations can reduce their risk. Here are 13 top tips for keeping the flu at bay this season.
1. Emphasize Handwashing
Frequent handwashing with soap and water is one of the best defenses against influenza. It can also help prevent the common cold from spreading around the office. Hands can pick up cold and flu germs from contaminated surfaces, so washing gets rid of any harmful microbes.
Remind employees to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose or coughing/sneezing. Provide handwashing signage in restrooms.
Keep in mind that alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when soap and water are unavailable. Stock sanitizer dispensers around the workplace. The CDC provides more information on hand hygiene and cough etiquette to prevent flu spread [1].
2. Discourage Touching of Face
Another easy route for flu transmission is when people touch their nose, eyes or mouth after their hands have touched contaminated objects or surfaces. This allows the virus an entry point into the body. Ask employees to be mindful of unnecessary face-touching throughout the day to avoid self-inoculation.
3. Promote Respiratory Etiquette
Encourage workers to cover their mouth with a tissue whenever coughing or sneezing to prevent infectious respiratory droplets from spreading. Make tissues readily accessible on employees’ desks and in common areas. The cool, dry air of winter can also cause sore throats and runny noses. Keeping tissues on hand helps prevent the spread of cold germs.
Instead of tissues, coughing/sneezing into one’s elbow is the next-best option for containing germs. Regardless of method, advise workers to wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward to prevent spreading any lingering germs they may have picked up.
Source: The CDC provides printable flyers on cough etiquette [2].
4. Encourage Employees to Stay Home When Sick
Make it clear that employees should stay home from work when experiencing flu symptoms like fever, body aches, fatigue and coughing. This helps prevent them from transmitting the illness to co-workers. Have flexible policies allowing staff to work from home when mildly ill but not contagious.
Communicate that employees should remain fever-free, without medication, for 24 hours before returning to work after a flu bout. Offer sufficient paid sick days so they do not feel pressured to come in while symptomatic. The CDC advises businesses on developing non-punitive leave policies [3].
5. Promote Social Distancing
Keep workstations spaced apart as reasonably possible to discourage close contact during flu season. Advise against hand-shaking as a greeting among colleagues. Limit face-to-face meetings, turning instead to phone or online conferences when practical. Restrict workplace visitors during flu outbreaks.
The CDC provides tips on spatial distancing and cancelling gatherings to reduce flu transmission [4].
6. Encourage Adequate Sleep
Getting sufficient, quality sleep helps boost immunity and prevent illness. But lack of sleep can impair the immune system’s defenses. Encourage employees to prioritize a set sleep schedule, limiting screen time before bed, blocking out light and sound in their bedrooms, and adopting other healthy sleep habits.
7. Discourage Stress
Chronic stress takes a toll on immunity as well, leaving the body vulnerable to viruses like influenza. Promote stress management through exercise breaks, relaxation techniques, sufficient time off from work, and other strategies. A less stressed workforce means fewer flu cases.
8. Foster Physical Activity
Along with destressing the body, regular exercise improves the functioning of the immune system. Encourage walking meetings, standing or walking breaks, use of office stairs, on-site fitness classes and gym discounts so that employees work physical activity into workdays. Even light exercise makes a difference.
9. Provide Healthy Eating Tips
A balanced, nutritious diet supports immune defenses against infection. Offer employees tips for incorporating immunity-boosting foods like citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, yogurt, almonds and turmeric in their snacks and meals. Consider offering healthier snacks and drinks in office kitchens and vending machines.
10. Host an On-Site Flu Shot Clinic
Facilitating annual flu shots for staff helps reduce workplace transmission. It protects both vaccinated individuals and the general population through herd immunity. Contract with a pharmacy or healthcare provider to administer vaccinations at the workplace. This removes barriers of scheduling appointments and taking time off work to get immunized.
11. Maintain Clean Workspaces
Viruses can live on surfaces for hours. So disinfect commonly touched objects like countertops, doorknobs, shared keyboards, phones and desks frequently. Advise employees to keep their personal workspaces free of clutter to allow for cleaning. Disinfect shared computers and equipment after each use.
12. Post Visual Reminders
Place signage around the office with flu prevention tips, like washing hands, covering coughs, staying home when sick and proper mask usage. Keeping healthy habits top of mind visually can help enforce positive behaviors. Distribute or email posters, stickers, flyers or fact sheets for extra impact.
13. Create an Office Flu Response Plan
Develop a preparedness plan for swiftly responding to unusually high absences or an outbreak. Detail communication protocols for reporting flu cases or exposures. Outline mitigation steps like deep cleaning procedures, increased telecommuting options, visitor restrictions and staggered work schedules to slow transmission. Spell out if and when a full or partial closure would occur.
The CDC provides a sample flu preparedness checklist for businesses [5].
By getting employees engaged in flu prevention, companies can foster a culture of health and safety around this seasonal illness. Combining smart workplace policies, environmental changes, education and communication can go a long way in keeping the flu in check. With some preparation and diligence, businesses can continue functioning while keeping staff happy, healthy and productively working through flu season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Office Flu Prevention
Flu prevention in the workplace raises many common questions for both employees and employers. Here are answers to some of the top FAQs.
What are the most important ways to avoid the flu at the office?
The most crucial prevention measures are getting the annual flu shot, washing hands frequently, disinfecting shared surfaces, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, not coming to work while ill, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth.
How long can the flu virus live on objects like desks and keyboards?
Influenza viruses can potentially live on nonporous surfaces for up to 48 hours. So regular disinfection of shared workspaces and equipment is recommended.
Is hand sanitizer or hand washing better for flu prevention?
Washing hands with soap and water is more effective at removing germs than sanitizer. But in the absence of a sink, hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol are a suitable alternative and still kill most flu viruses.
Should face masks be used in the workplace to avoid the flu?
Mask use is optional for healthy individuals, but can reduce inhalation of droplets from someone else’s cough or sneeze. They are most helpful when the sick person wears them to contain their germs. Masks should complement other measures like hand hygiene.
How long after being sick is it safe to return to work?
Employees should stay home until at least 24 hours after theirfever has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medication. Cough and fatigue may persist longer even if the person is no longer contagious.
What supplies should be stocked to promote flu prevention in offices?
Useful supplies include paper towels, disinfectant wipes, tissues, touch-free trash cans, hand soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and hand hygiene signage. Face masks may also be offered when outbreaks occur or if employees request them.
Should the workspace get professionally deep cleaned after an outbreak?
Yes, companies may choose to hire external cleaning services to thoroughly disinfect all areas after a cluster of flu cases. Cleaning should involve surfaces as well as ventilation system components like air filters to remove contaminated droplets.
Is it okay for employees to work from home when sick with mild symptoms?
Telecommuting is an excellent option to avoid transmitting the virus to others. Employees who feel well enough to work can do so productively from home while quarantining from office mates. Policies should outline expectations and restrictions. Keeping the flu away from the office involves both smart individual habits and thoughtful prevention policies. By working together, companies and their employees can face down influenza.
Conclusion
The close quarters of office environments can allow influenza to spread rapidly when seasonal flu outbreaks occur. This negatively impacts not only individual employees and their health, but company productivity and presenteeism as well. By making flu prevention a priority and cultivating a culture of health, businesses can reduce transmission and protect their workforce. Strategies like encouraging vaccination, hand hygiene, surface disinfection, distancing policies, flu action plans, and proper treatment can make a real difference. Employee education is also key – provide resources, tips and reminders about best practices for evading the flu. With a collaborative effort, offices can operate without major disruptions even during peak flu season.
While the flu can never be prevented 100%, following evidence-based prevention protocols can substantially cut down on cases. Prioritizing workforce health with smart strategies improves employee satisfaction, retention and productivity. Facing down the office flu takes diligence and preparation, but companies that plan ahead reap the benefits of a happier, healthier staff.
Read Also: Spring Allergy Solutions for Miserable Seasonal Sufferers
References
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/prevent-flu-workplace.html
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/flushot-flyer-table-standing.pdf
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/guidance.html
[4] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/guidance-businesses-response.html
