The risk of picking up an illness at the office is pretty high, especially in offices with large numbers of people, communal kitchen areas and close contact. This risk intensifies during the cold and flu season and can turn into more serious illnesses, including respiratory infections. It only takes one cough or sneeze to spread germs to surfaces that multiple people might touch during the work day. 

To avoid people coming in and sharing their germs with others and having the majority of the office calling in sick, make it known that it is best for people to take a sick day and get well before returning. Of course, this isn't always the ideal situation and germs are brought to the office regardless. 

Janitorial services that provide regular office cleaning can help to alleviate this problem. These professionals are trained to disinfect surfaces, including things that get overlooked when office cleaning, such as keyboards, light switches and door knobs. Janitorial services also take a bigger approach to keeping office areas healthy, including checking and changing filters to keep a flow of great air quality throughout the office. 

The key to a great cleaning service is recognizing areas that need special attention in the work place. These are usually high traffic areas like restrooms, meeting rooms and the office kitchen. The kitchen is a breeding ground for germs because so many hands are touching and using the refrigerator, microwave, counter tops and coffee machine. 

Office cleaning will eliminate the germs at the end of each day, but individuals can also be proactive in trying to keep themselves cold and flu free in the following ways: 
 

• Hand washing. Frequently washing your hands can keep you germ free. This applies before and after preparing food, in the restroom and occasionally throughout the day, especially after meetings or using the phone. When frequent hand washing isn't accessible, keeping hand sanitizer at your desk is the next best thing.


• Avoid sharing. Try to stay away from sharing writing utensils, phones and food to eliminate the risk of picking up germs.


• Disinfect your space. Using antiseptic wipes in your personal office space will help to keep your area germ free. You can use wipes to clean a desk surface, phone, keyboard, mouse and even your desk handles and pen.


• Avoid touching your face. This tip is applicable no matter what time of year it is, but can be extra helpful during the heavy cold and flu season. After touching so many office papers or surfaces, rubbing your eyes or face is a fast way to spread germs and cause you illness.


 

Being proactive and lowering the risks of picking of germs in the office place can definitely help you stay healthy. Using janitorial services is the icing on the cake to lowering sick days among employees and making for a clean and healthy work environment. Let NAE Cleaning Solutions help you make your work place sparkly clean and germ free!