In addition to the ice and snow, salt and slush tracked into your place of business during the winter months, the winter months also bring cold and flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that anywhere between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population will get the flu each year. And of course, many more will get a cold, ranging from a case of the sniffles to a hacking cough and fever.
Of course, all employers want their employees to stay home and get better and not spread their illness around the workplace. But all of those sick days affect the bottom line.
With that being said, there are steps you can take to prevent the spread of the cold and flu viruses and therefore cut down on the number of sick days. It starts with making sure your employees are following best practices, and that your commercial cleaning company is doing their part. Things to look for:
- Your cleaning service actually cleans and disinfects, rather than just wiping away dust and debris.
- Your commercial cleaners clean and disinfect all the important touchpoints (light switches, door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, faucet handles, etc.)
- Are they cleaning often enough? This is a question you have to ask yourself. It might be worthwhile to have your commercial cleaning company come in more often during cold and flu season.
In addition to your commercial cleaning company doing its part, your employees can pitch into the healthy office effort, too. Supply them with disinfecting wipes that they can use to wipe down their keyboards, phones, mice, etc.
Leave hand sanitizer around the office or have dispensers on the walls and encourage employees to use it. And of course, to wash their hands after using the bathroom.
And above all, don’t let your employees come in sick! Anyone with a fever, and who is still contagious should stay home. Send sick employees home.
The commercial cleaning staff at ServiceMaster PBM is trained in the ways of sanitizing and disinfecting your workplace, school, or medical office. Our Environmental Services Healthcare Training is in compliance with all CDC, JCAHO, and HIPPA standards.
If you need a commercial cleaning company, call us today at (410) 618-4527. We serve businesses, healthcare locations, educational facilities, and more throughout Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City.
