health articles business management businesses Marketing sales Technology Business finance Lean Manufacturing small business Investing articles employee health

Reducing germs

blowingnose23111488.jpg
Germs are unavoidable in any workplace, but with consistent hygiene standards and smart employee policies, you can reduce the germs that represent "22 million days of lost work and almost 8 million doctor visits a year", according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Companies that are making efforts to reduce germs and increase healthy living are seeing a decline in their medical costs. The employees are staying healthier and they aren't visiting the doctor as often, which lowers the health insurance premiums of the company.

With growing costs of health insurance, and economic challenges facing many companies, big and small, in the United States, being able to prevent and support sick employees has become increasingly important. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, presenteeism (coming to work sick), is happening more often as economic insecurity sets in and the demands of the workplace increase. Employers can help themselves and their employees with some simple steps to preventing the spread of infectious viruses.

Encourage use of sick time:
Suggest employees stay home when they are sick, and support that policy. Studies have found that employees who feel like they will not face discipline for taking time off when they are sick are more willing to use it sparingly and appropriately. The risk of infecting coworkers with colds and flu viruses is not worth the limited work a sick employee will accomplish by coming in. If you don't offer sick time, try offering it. For a minimal cost to the company, this benefit can be the difference between healthy, happy employees, and lost man hours and high turn over. Employees are more likely to stay somewhere that they feel appreciated and supported through use of even small benefits like paid sick leave. When employees have the option of using sick leave, they tend to only use it when they are truly sick and not for an extra day-off work.

Health Awareness: Many employers offer yearly health fairs to teach employees about healthy lifestyles and training on preventing illness in the workplace. The added cost will be minimal compared to the hours lost by sick employees.

Disinfect:
Provide employees with an effective and convenient means of disinfecting their workspace. Disinfect everything that is touched regularly. Clean telephones, light switches, doorknobs, filing cabinets, keyboard and break areas frequently. Encourage washing hands regularly and the use of hand antiseptics. Viruses spread through the air and by touching any surface so minimizing the amount of germs on common areas will increase the health of your workplace.

Minimize the cost of insurance: Easier said than done, we realize, but finding a good insurance program that is affordable for your employees will reduce the spread of infection in your office. Increased insurance costs can be daunting to employers and their employees. Get additional quotes each year from several insurance sources to make sure you're getting a fair price for your program. Find the program that's right for your employees by talking to them and to your insurer.

Exercise and eat right: Encourage employees to participate in sponsored exercise programs or join a health club. Many athletic clubs offer reduced rates to employers that have multiple contracts. If you provide snacks at company sponsored meetings, choose healthy alternatives and have water readily available for your employees. Healthy employees equal less sickness in the office.

Although you can't stop the spread of every germ that comes into the office, finding ways to minimize their destructive paths can be simple. A clean and healthy office environment will increase the not only the physical well-being of your employees, but the overall mental attitude of your employees. You'll see production go up as your employees feel healthier and supported when that nasty virus does hit.

,
FREE: Get More Leads!
How To Get More LeadsSubscribe to our free newsletter and get our "How To Get More Leads" course free via email. Just enter your first name and email address below to subscribe.
First Name *
Email *


Get More Business Info
Sponsored Links
Recent Articles

Categories

Copyright 2003-2020 by BusinessKnowledgeSource.com - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use