Keeping sick employees away from healthy employees

Employees get sick. This is something that employers have very little power over. But one thing employers can do is try to keep their sick employees away from their healthy employees. This article discusses the importance of keeping these two groups separated and how to go about doing it.

Why it is important to separate them

There are several reasons why it is important for employers to keep their sick employees away from their healthy employees. For one, sick employees generally do not perform to the best of ability when compared to healthy employees. This can cause a loss in profits for the company, and can be considered wasted time; especially if the work has to be redone by another employee.

Two, sick employee who do not stay away from the healthy employees can make the healthy employees sick. The viruses that cause the common cold and the flu are very easily spread, especially in office work settings. More than one person may use a phone, a computer keyboard, the copy machine, the drinking fountain, even the same desk. If one of these people has sneezed or coughed on their hands (or the actual surface) and has not washed them the germs will contaminate the surface and as well as the next one or two (or three) hands that touch the surface. Having one sick employee might not be such a big problem, but having nine or ten employees who are sick is a big problem.

How to keep them away from each other

One way for an employer to keep their sick employees away from their healthy employees is by conducting a meeting. In this meeting the employer should explain the importance of sick employees using their sick leave when they are sick. The employer can explain how sick employees do not do their work as well as healthy employees. It is important for the employer to also explain how easily germs are transmitted from coworker to coworker in the workplace. One sick person in the office can turn into ten sick people in the office in a matter of days.

Another way that an employer can keep sick employees away from their healthy employees is by creating an office area for sick employees only. If employees are refusing to use their sick leave, or for some reason are not able to use their sick leave, they should be somewhat quarantined from the rest of the office. It is also not a bad idea for the employer to ask the sick employees to use hand sanitizer often and to sanitizing wipes on the office equipment and supplies they touch during the day.

Prevention

One of the best ways for an employer to do to keep their sick employees away from their healthy employees is to try not to have very many sick employees in the first place. While employers do not have a lot of control over germs and keeping their employees healthy, there are a few things that they can do to encourage healthy employees.

For example, an employer can encourage hand washing by posting signs in the bathrooms by the sinks and in the break room. Washing hands is one of the best ways for people not to spread germs and not to get sick in the first place. It also can't hurt for the employer to bring up hand washing in a meeting and discuss the importance of it; especially during the winter months.

Employers can also encourage their employees to eat healthy foods and to exercise. People who exercise and eat right are less likely to get sick. An employer can start up an employee wellness program to help encourage these healthy practices.