As flu season hits its peak, the risk of illness spreads through homes and workplaces alike. With cold and flu viruses so prevalent, taking steps to prevent their spread is more important than ever. Simple actions like practicing good hygiene, getting vaccinated and fostering a healthy work environment can make all the difference in keeping everyone well and minimizing disruptions.
Flu Vaccinations and Personal Hygiene Practices
Receiving a flu vaccine is a highly effective way of protecting yourself and others from the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all eligible individuals older than 6 months get vaccinated annually. This action can drastically lower your chances of contracting the flu, helping to mitigate its spread in communities and workplaces.
Another effective way to prevent germ spread is practicing good personal hygiene. Here are some key practices to follow:
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good substitute.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germs from entering your body.
- Use tissues or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Keep frequently touched surfaces clean by regularly disinfecting doorknobs, keyboards and other high-contact areas.
- Continue to practice healthy habits: get plenty of sleep, stay physically active, eat nutritious foods and drink plenty of fluids.
Workplace Strategies to Help Prevent the Spread
As an employer, preventative measures are key when it comes to mitigating the effects of the flu. In addition to keeping employees healthy, productive and in the office, these measures can help foster a workplace culture that prioritizes employee health and safety. Strategies to help stop the spread in the workplace include:
- Make it easy for employees to get vaccinated. Hosting a flu vaccination clinic at the office can be a simple and effective way to help prevent illness from ravaging the workplace. Offering free or low-cost vaccinations onsite reduces barriers that employees may face to getting a flu shot – and it can help minimize absenteeism in both the short and long term.
- Encourage employees to stay home when ill. Returning to work only after symptoms have improved and after being fever-free (without taking fever-reducing medications) for 24 hours can significantly reduce the risk of spreading illnesses to colleagues. If their symptoms aren’t severe, consider allowing sick employees to work from home during the duration of their illness to help prevent their early return to the office.
- Provide tissues, soap and hand sanitizers. Readily available hygiene products encourage consistent good health habits and can help prevent the spread of germs should someone become sick. Employers should also promote the importance of covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
- Improve air quality by ventilating spaces. Fresh air circulation can decrease viral exposure risk by diluting potential contaminants and reducing airborne virus concentration.
- Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and rooms. Disinfecting surfaces like doorknobs and countertops can prevent illness from spreading. Employers should also frequently disinfect high-traffic rooms, such as a breakroom or meeting rooms.
- Encourage employees to maintain health habits. A strong immune system can help defend against cold and flu viruses. While employers should be promoting healthy habits throughout the year as part of a wellness program, they should emphasize the importance of these habits during cold and flu season. These habits include staying physically active, getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, drinking plenty of water and managing stress. Your employee benefits broker can help your HR team to implement specific wellness programs to encourage each of these habits.
- Educate employees on flu and cold symptoms. Early recognition of symptoms can significantly affect your employee’s recovery and the impact of the flu on your other team members. Common flu symptoms include fever, runny nose, coughing and sneezing. If symptoms worsen, employees should seek medical attention.
Need help creating a healthy workplace?
Higginbotham offers tailored HR and employee benefits solutions to help you maintain a healthy, productive work environment. From employee benefits communications to onboarding new team members, our personalized approach ensures that your team gets the year-round support they need. Talk to a member of our team today and discover how Higginbotham can help you navigate flu season and beyond with confidence.
