Employee sick days may not seem like a big deal, but productivity can begin to wane when constant absences exist in multiple departments. It can be difficult for other staff to jump in and fill the void, and work can pile up. Even more alarming is that necessary tasks may be overlooked or completed with errors. And while it may feel like sick days are something the company has very little control over, there are steps you can take that will help promote a healthier staff and, thereby, a more productive work environment.
Make Clean Air a Top Priority
Clean air is the top priority when working to prevent illness in the workplace. If an employee falls ill, you want to ensure it’s just them, not multiple staff members, who end up sick. Ensuring the air is clean will significantly reduce the spread of illness. Look into installing commercial-grade air purifiers that cover the entire space. It not only reduces diseases but can help with allergens and other contaminants. Remember, for the air purifier units to be effective in ample space, they will likely need to be operated at their top speed.
Give Employees Plenty of Places and Ways to Sanitize Hands
Hand sanitization stations became more necessary than ever during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no reason they should disappear now. Give employees plenty of stations – you can also provide hand sanitizer at their desks.
Speak to the Cleaning Service About Conducting Deep Cleans
If your company employs a professional cleaning service, now is the time to talk to them about what kind of products they use and how extensive the cleaning is. You may need to ask for deep cleaning at least a few times monthly to ensure no germs build up on surfaces. Also, ensure that cleaning focuses on high-touch surfaces like computer keyboards, doorknobs, elevator keys, etc.
Expand Benefits to Include OTC Products
Employers can also expand their benefits, offering supplemental plans that include a variety of OTC products meant to enhance the health and well-being of staff. The key is making it easy and streamlined to access the OTC supplemental benefit program, which means employees need to know the CMS-compliant health-related items. Look at this list of products covered by the OTC card, and you’ll get a sense of what you can do with this sort of supplemental program and how easy it can be for employees to access.
Ensure the Breakroom Has Healthy Snack Options
For offices that have a breakroom with snacks, make sure there are healthy options to choose from. These will give employees the nutrients to fight common bugs and illnesses. Healthy snacks are also great for an energy boost, helping with focus and concentration, and can even improve a person’s mood. Some great healthy snack options include dried fruit, nuts, Granola bars, protein bars, oatmeal, and yogurt.
You will likely reduce sick days by using all these tips and creating a healthy and hygienic environment for employees.
