The weather is turning colder and winter is just around the corner. During this time of year it is more important than ever for facility managers to be mindful of the negative impact of workplace illness. According the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of five to twenty percent of the United States population contracts the flu each year.

The flu spreads very easily from person to person, especially in shared work spaces. With employees coughing and sneezing in open office spaces and touching common surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons, if you’re not careful the flu can spread quickly through your facility. The flu and other common winter illnesses causes employees to stay home sick, which can result in a loss in productivity and revenue. It has been estimated by global outplacement consultancy, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, that the 2018-2019 flu season could cost employers more than 9 billion dollars. Investing in the health of your employees and visiting clients through maintaining a clean facility can help save your business money, while also showing your employees that you care.

Encourage good health practices in the workplace

Promote proper hand washing practices and keep restrooms clean and properly stocked with soap, tissues, paper towels, disinfectant wipes and alcohol-based sanitizers. Remind employees to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or upper arm when sneezing and/or coughing to reduce the spread of germs.

Ask employees to stay home if they are sick 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that a sick employee should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone to facilitate recovery and avoid the risk of infecting others.

Keep your facilities air and surfaces clean

From daily vacuuming with a dual motor HEPA filter vacuum, to deep carpet cleaning, to disinfecting furniture and frequently touched surfaces and upholstery care, it is recommended to take a comprehensive approach to help fight the flu and other common winter illnesses.

Every year at about this time SOLID receives requests for additional services from facility managers to help combat the flu season. This year (2018), not only will SOLID answer those calls, but we’re pledging to donate a portion of revenue from winter service requests to United Way’s Disaster Recovery Fund that helps communities and individuals with recovery efforts. Click here to learn more.

SOLID Surface Care, Inc., is a unified team of surface care experts who deliver the highest level of care for all hard and soft surfaces while providing a world-class client experience. With SOLID, your surfaces are protected, your spaces are kept clean and healthy, and your expectations are exceeded. From carpet to stone to metal and wood, we care for the most precious surfaces in the world – Yours.

Please contact SOLID for more information 844.227.6543 ext. 3 or fill out an online contact form.