Cold and flu season is almost here, so before your office becomes a haven for germs, take pre-emptive measures to keep your body and your workplace healthy.
With approximately 5,000 employees in offices, warehouses, on the road and in the air, FedEx Canada knows the importance of maintaining a healthy workplace. “Our customers expect reliable package delivery on time and we can't allow the cold and flu season to affect our business,” said Tracey Poulin, manager of health and safety, FedEx Canada. “Because our couriers are constantly interacting with our customers it’s crucial that we take preventative measures to keep everyone healthy during the cold and flu season.”
Ms Poulin recommends the following tips to minimize the spread of germs in
the workplace:
Wash Your hands
Using soap and hot water for 18 to 20 seconds as frequently as possible, can be the single most effective prevention tip this season.
Sanitize your work area
Employees are always ready to blame their sniffling co-workers for their sicknesses, but chances are it's your own work area that is probably making you sick. A typical worker's desk has almost 21,000 germs in a square inch. Compare that with an office toilet seat carrying 49 germs a square inch, and you might want to rethink how you look at your office space. Desks, phones, computer keyboards and computer mice are refuges for germs because people use them so often. The best way to kill bacteria is to wipe down your work area with disinfectant.
Boost your immune system
As the weather starts to get colder, getting your daily requirement of exercise seems less desirable, but your body has a better chance of fighting off viruses if you are in good shape. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, drinking plenty of fluids and doing a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise will safeguard your body for the onslaught of germs that the cold and flu season brings.
Stay in Bed
Dragging yourself into the office when you are sick puts your co-workers at risk.
Use common sense and stay at home if you have obvious cold and flu symptoms. The general rule is to stay at home for at least 24 hours until the symptoms subside. Remember: sometimes all your body needs is rest and some time to heal.