Arrival of Cold and Flu Season Shouldn’t Mean Departure of Employees; Worker Absenteeism can be Reduced with Proper Cleaning
Addison, Texas -- Every year in the United States, it is reported that up to 20 percent of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and about 36,000 people die from flu. Annual flu costs the U.S. economy more thab $10 billion in worker absenteeism and lost productivity, but it doesn’t have to.
“By taking simple steps to kill germs and bacteria in the office, worker absenteeism can be reduced,” say’s Mark Regna, director of healthcare services for Jani-King International, the world’s largest commercial cleaning franchise company.
According to Regna, washing your hands is one of the most effective means of reducing the spread of germs throughout the office. “At our global headquarters, we have installed alcohol handrinses and waterless antiseptic handrubs in all of the restrooms.”
“In addition to handwashing, proper cleaning by the janitorial staff is critical to the overall health of the employees in a building,” says Regna. “High-touch points such as doorknobs and handrails need to be wiped daily. Another effective way to keep employees healthy is to make sure there are written procedures for the janitorial staff to wipe down desks, keyboards and phones on a routine basis.”
Regna also suggests employing technology to help the fight against colds and flu. “Microfiber cleaning towels trap and hold the bacteria so that they are not spread across the desk when it is wiped down. Also, vacuums with HEPA filters are proven to greatly reduce the amount of dust lifted into the air. Make sure that your cleaning company or janitorial staff uses the latest cleaning technology and changes air filters throughout the building on a regular basis. Following these procedures will help keep employees on the job and not at home sick.”
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Bacteria and viruses are the microscopic organisms – otherwise known as germs -- that are responsible for causing and transmitting illness and disease. These microbes are so small, that according to the American Society for Microbiology, if the smallest of all microbes was the size of a baseball, an average bacterium would then be the size of the pitcher's mound, and just one of the millions of cells that make up your body would be the size of the ballpark!
