As an office manager, it’s very important that your employees remain healthy. The problem is that when they are out and about they catch illnesses, which they then bring back to the office. This means that it is up to you to maintain an environment that minimizes the chances of people passing on illnesses. To do this, it is important that you be aware of common illnesses and what you can do to avoid them.
Common cold
This is probably the most common office sickness that there is. It only needs one person to catch it and the whole office could get infected. It is an airborne disease and can also be spread through contact. This means that things like keyboards, coffee cups and other minor items like this have the potential to bring a cold into your office. Its symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and some people may develop a fever. The best way to prevent the spread of colds in your offices is to hire a commercial cleaning service that is thorough. They clean even the most innocuous items and sanitize everything to ensure that there are no viruses.
Flu
This one has almost similar symptoms as a cold but can be more dangerous. It usually occurs at certain times of the year. It can differ from year to year – symptoms can be mild at in certain years depending on the type of virus. In the office, it is spread through doorknobs, keyboards, phones and even remotes. Again, you can prevent flu from affecting your employees by making sure that you janitorial services clean and sanitize everything at the end of the day. You should also advice everyone to get their flu shots in order to reduce the risk of getting infected.
Gastroenteritis
You wouldn’t believe how common it is for colleagues to give each other the stomach flu. Again, it usually happens through things like keyboards, remotes, phones and doorknobs. The symptoms are stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea which are often accompanied by fever. To avoid it you must get your commercial cleaning company to clean and sanitize all phones, keyboards, doorknobs and remotes. They should pay particular attention to the kitchen areas and anywhere else that employees take food or beverages.
Strep throat
This one can be dangerous, even fatal if not treated properly. If you notice that any of your employees has pain in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, fever, swollen tonsils and headaches you should quarantine them and then have your janitorial services come in and clean and sanitize the whole office, especially any items that are used by many employees.
Pink eye
Pink eye is horrible – you get discharge from the eyes which crusts almost gluing them shut. It can easily be spread by sharing items. Other than the discharge, there is usually eye irritation, some swelling and tearing. It can spread very fast so if you notice any of these symptoms in an employee they should go home right away and avoid contact with others. Get your commercial cleaning company to come in right away and sanitize all communal items.
