Combatting Flu in the Workplace: How to Keep Your Office Healthy

Spotless Commercial Cleaning, Combatting Flu in the Workplace.

Flu season is upon us, and its effects on workplaces can be significant. Beyond the health risks, flu contributes to substantial losses in productivity. Flu, COVID-19, and other common illnesses led to 185.6 million workdays lost in 2022 due to sickness.(ONS, 2022). While encouraging employees to get flu vaccinations is an important preventative measure, maintaining a clean workplace can be just as critical in controlling the spread of flu. With the right approach to cleaning, businesses can reduce flu transmission, protect their workforce, and avoid costly sick days.

How Clean Workspaces Can Help Prevent Flu

While flu vaccinations are essential, it’s surprising how much workplace cleanliness impacts the spread of illnesses like flu. Germs thrive in office environments, and dirty workstations can become breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. Yet many people overlook how much cleanliness plays in preventing illness.

Workstations: A Hotspot for Germs

Did you know that 68% of office workers regularly eat lunch at their desks? (FinanceBuzz 2024) This behavior not only leads to a less hygienic workspace but also contributes to the accumulation of germs. A recent study highlighted that about 10 million bacteria can live on the average office desk, making it 400 times dirtier than a toilet seat (Anglo Nordic 2024). Since employees spend an average workweek of over 36.6 hours a week at work, with the majority at their desks, the potential for flu and other illnesses to spread is significant(ONS 2024).

Hands: The Gateway for Germs

We constantly touch our faces, phones, keyboards, and communal surfaces throughout the workday. A staggering 80% of infections are transmitted by touch, including the flu (NHS, 2023). Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces like keyboards, phones, and doorknobs for up to 48 hours, making it easy for germs to spread in shared spaces (CDC, 2024).

How Quickly Can Flu Spread in an Office?

A study from Imperial College London found that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on hands and frequently touched surfaces significantly contributes to the transmission of the virus. The study demonstrated that if the virus is detected on surfaces or hands, the likelihood of transmission to contacts is notably higher (Imperial College London 2023). Showing just how quickly viruses like Flu and COVID-19 can spread when hands are not washed.

Practical Steps to Limit the Spread of Flu in Your Office

Fortunately, businesses can take several practical steps to help limit flu transmission. By fostering a cleaner environment and promoting healthy habits, companies can reduce absenteeism and help keep employees well during flu season.

1. Regular Cleaning and Disinfecting

Ensure your cleaning service prioritises high-touch areas like phones, keyboards, mice, and door handles. At Spotless, we offer specialised seasonal IT and workstation cleaning to target the most germ-prone areas in your office.

2. Provide Cleaning Supplies

Make antibacterial wipes and sprays readily available so employees can clean their workstations frequently. Consider providing wipes specifically designed for phones and keyboards, where bacteria tend to accumulate.

3. Encourage Healthy Habits

Supporting your employees’ overall health can boost their immune systems, making them less susceptible to flu. Providing fresh fruit in the office is a simple way to encourage healthier eating. Remind employees to get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, and get fresh air during the workday.

4. Emphasise Hand Hygiene

Encourage frequent handwashing, especially after meetings or touching shared surfaces. Proper hand drying is just as important—wet hands spread bacteria more easily than dry ones ⁸. Placing hand sanitiser stations in common areas is another effective measure to help limit the spread of germs.

5. Limit Face Touching

Remind employees to avoid touching their faces, especially their eyes, nose, and mouth, as these are the most common entry points for flu viruses, which can survive outside the body for up to 24 hours ⁹.

6. Use Personal Cups and Utensils

Encourage staff to use their own cups and utensils, rather than communal kitchen supplies, to reduce the spread of germs further.

7. Stay Home When Sick

One of the most effective ways to prevent flu spread is encouraging employees to stay home when they feel unwell. This helps prevent 'presenteeism,' where sick employees come to work and spread germs to others. Staying home reduces overall sick days in the long run, ensuring employees can return to work healthy and productive.

The Spotless Approach to a Cleaner, Healthier Office

At Spotless, we recognise the importance of a clean office environment, especially during flu season. Our professional cleaning services focus on reducing the spread of germs by thoroughly disinfecting high-touch areas and workstations. Through this, we help businesses reduce sick days and promote a healthier, more productive workforce.

If you want to safeguard your office this flu season, contact Spotless for a tailored cleaning plan. Read our blogs on how ‘Presenteeism Costs British Businesses More Than Absenteeism’ and ‘How to Reduce Presenteeism’. Or get in touch today to see how our team can help you with your daily office cleaning needs.