We have all been around them: the coughers, the sneezers, the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeers.
The person in the cubicle next us rolls over and tells you, “I think I am coming down with something,” or “I think I might be getting sick.” If you are anything like me, my eyes open wide when coworkers say this because with my bad luck, I always end up sick.
Especially in offices, once it hits one person, everyone is in the danger zone.
Let’s face it, not only does being sick hurt our mood and health, but it affects the tasks we have.
It hurts deadlines.
It hurts productivity.
Nevertheless, throughout the years, I have learned that there are proper measures to take when avoiding a sickness.
Keep your distance
If someone is sick or they think they are coming down with something. Stay away from me! The Mother Nature Network website reported this is one of the precautionary measures you can take. They also obtained information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which states, “You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immunity systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.”
Keep high traffic areas in mind
It is definitely a good idea to be aware of the common areas. Think of all the places that people touch. Especially when it is flu season, or when you see that people are starting to get sick in the office, disinfect or use a wipe to use the fax machine, elevator buttons, door handles and things of this sort. The Mother Nature Network also suggested the use of elbows when trying to open doors or faucets.
Sick days are okay
Taking a sick day off is the responsible thing to do, so do not discourage employees from taking them.
Tweak Your Biz writes, “Don’t promote a “tough it out” atmosphere. Calling in sick is often viewed as a shameful or weak act in an office environment, yet it’s the responsible thing to do. Even if you never intend to be intimidating, almost 50% of employees fear discipline after taking a sick-day. Management should encourage their sick employees to go home. After all, it’s a lose-lose scenario to come into work sick. Without rest, the sick-employee is not productive and makes mistakes. Furthermore, they take more time to get well and are more likely to spread illness throughout the office. So, if you don’t want your whole office coughing over quarterly reports, do the responsible thing: tell any sick employee to go home and sleep.”
