If your sick day usage seems to increase during the winter months, you are not alone. Luckily, there are a few simple things that you can do around the office to try to minimize the spread of illness throughout the office. A few of the causes of illness and/or the use of sick days might surprise you, but, with a few simple changes, you can help to make it better.
1) Decrease stress – When the body is stressed, it is more susceptible to illness. Encourage employees to work with you to find ways to decrease their specific stress, whether it is physical or mental. Those with a physically taxing job can work in job rotations that allow them a break from the repetitive stress on their body. Those with a mentally taxing job can benefit by taking quick breaks throughout the day, whether to take a quick walk, or simply to have a glass of water in the break room.
2) Provide ways to clean – Your employees probably do not want to be cleaning every day, but they probably would not mind having sanitizing wipes available to wipe down keyboards, phones, or faucets that are shared by many. The simple task of wiping things down before touching them could decrease the spread of illness throughout the office.
3) Offer rewards for preventative care – Offer your employees a small reward for taking preventative measures, such as getting a flu shot, keeping up with annual checkups for a routine health assessment, and exercising during lunch or break times, as exercise can greatly diminish the risk of illness in the long run.
Sick days are meant to allow your employees to recover from an illness, as well as to prevent the spread of the germs throughout the office, but sometimes their usage can get out of hand. Being proactive in the office can help to decrease the spread of the germs and keep your employees happy, healthy, and -- most importantly -- at work!