Cold and flu season in Maryland is in full swing. Just take a look at this the Maryland Influenza dashboard for some sobering numbers. This year’s flu outbreak started early, and became widespread quickly. It has also led to the highest hospitalization rate in 10 years. For most office managers and facility managers, the numbers can be a bit daunting.
How can you prevent an outbreak from decimating your workforce? You might be surprised to learn that regular commercial cleaning and disinfecting can help you reduce the number of sick days your employees need. Keep reading to learn more.
Understand How Cold and Flu Viruses Spread
One of the major reasons the flu virus manages to affect so many people in the Fall and Winter is that our proximity to one another increases as we spend more time indoors because it’s cold outside. If you manage an office or lead a school, the situation can be bleak.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people can spread the flu via droplets produced by sneezing and coughing, or by touching surfaces that contain the flu virus. People with the flu are infections one day before they show symptoms, and up to a week after becoming sick.
In an office, warehouse, or school, people are constantly within close proximity to one another, share many of the same office appliances, use the same bathrooms, touch the same doorknobs, elevator buttons, stair railings, etc. In the height of flu season, such a scenario can be a recipe for disaster. But you can avert disaster by working with your commercial cleaning company.
How Professional Commercial Cleaning Services Can Help
Professional commercial cleaning and janitorial services from ServiceMaster Clean PBM provide your business or school with quality cleaning services that go beyond vacuuming, mopping and dusting, emptying the trash, etc. We also include disinfecting and sanitizing of common office and school “touchpoints,” or surfaces most often subject to human contact.
These can include:
- Doorknobs or door exit bars
- Telephones
- Elevator buttons
- Stair rails
- Drinking fountain handles/push bars
- Faucets
- Desks
- Refrigerator handles
- Microwave buttons
- Light switches
- Copy machines
- Bathroom stalls and fixtures
- Common areas
Your ServiceMaster Clean PBM staff are careful to avoid cross contamination, making sure that all office equipment, high-touch surfaces, and appliances are completely cleared of any lingering virus droplets or bacteria before the conclusion of each cleaning.
With our help, and with the cooperation of your employees or students, everyone who comes through your doors will be confident they can use keyboards, telephones, and other appliances without getting sick.
Other Steps You Can Take to Prevent the Spread of Illness
Beyond keeping your facility clean and disinfected, there are other measures you can take to help keep people healthy.
Encourage Employees to Get the Flu Vaccine
It’s not too late to get the flu vaccine, and reports show this year’s vaccine targets the current strains very well. While someone may still get the flu, the vaccine will help it be a milder case, and prevent hospitalization.
Vaccines are free with insurance at local pharmacies, grocery stores, and doctor’s offices. And if your facility is hit hard by people calling in sick with the flu this year, consider sponsoring a flu vaccine clinic next fall, with incentives for getting the vaccine.
Send Sick Employees Home, or Encourage Them to Stay Home
Reinforce that employees should stay home if they have a fever, cough, or other symptoms of the flu. If they come to work and are obviously in ill health, send them home. They need to take care of their health, and you need to protect the rest of the employees and customers.
Remind People of Basic Hygiene
Consider posting brochures or signs reminding people to cover a cough or sneeze, and to wash hands frequently with soap and water. Provide hand sanitizer for employees to keep in their offices or on their desks.
Don’t let a flu outbreak affect your bottom line. Take precautions to protect your employees and reduce sick days. It’s worth it.
Get a FREE Quote for Commercial Cleaning Services You Can Count On
Whether you’re an office manager, facilities manager, or HR manager looking to keep your employees healthy and your business running smoothly, we would welcome the chance to give you a free quote for commercial cleaning and disinfecting services.
At our onsite visit, we’ll go over your needs and expectations, and come up with a plan tailored to your facility. We serve commercial clients of all kinds in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County.
Call 410-618-4527 or fill out the Get a Quote form to get started.
