People turn into work sick every day. From colds to tummy bugs, they force themselves to get through the day. But doing this often causes more problems. You aren’t helping yourself get better by stressing your way through a working day, and you’re increasing the risk that other people in the office will get sick.
In 2013, 131 million days were lost due to sickness in the UK. That also has a serious effect on productivity.
So whether you’re an employee or an employer, you need to make sure you stay healthy in the office.
Here’s our guide on how to do it.
Maintain the right temp
A comfortable temperature will help your employees avoid sickness at work. A good heating and air conditioning service is important.
Don’t forget about including ergonomic equipment, lighting, and seating too.
Regularly wash your hands
Offices are full of germs. From elevator buttons to your desk keyboard (which could contain more germs than a toilet seat).
Washing your hands regularly with soap and water can help you spread an illness and safeguard you against other peoples.
Make sure you wash your hands after and before eating, after you’ve used the restroom, and after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
Clean often
You spend a lot of time at your desk and there are probably items that you use more often than others. Take the phone on your desk for example. It probably spends hours at a time tucked in-between your shoulder and chin.
If other people use it, they’ll get your germs on their face.
If you can, ask for a headset. If not, just make sure you’re regularly wiping items like your keyboard and phone.
Steer clear
Not all of your colleagues will be so bothered about spreading germs.
If you see a colleague sniffling and coughing then try and avoid them until it’s cleared up. It sounds harsh but a cold can spread to people who are up to six feet away!