Stay Safe and Healthy at Work During the Winter Season

Most people have sick days and vacation days at work; however, these sick days could be used up quickly if someone gets seriously ill or injured and misses an extended amount of time.

As the colder months continue, it is important that people take steps to protect themselves from the contagious bacterial and viral infections that tend to pop up during the colder weather. These steps can help people preserve those sick days and remain productive at work.

Handwashing Is the Most Important Step

The number one way to prevent workers from catching contagious illnesses is to encourage employees to wash their hands. Employees place their hands on a myriad of objects over the course of a day including every door handle, multiple keyboards, cups, plates, bowls, silverware, pens, paper, handshakes, and numerous other places. These are common places that people can swap germs and make other people sick. Proper handwashing can prevent people from passing contagious illnesses around the building and making others sick. Take the few minutes to wash hands when appropriate and use hand sanitizer if it is available.

Proper Rest and Hydration Is Key

During the sick season, it is more important than ever for people to get a proper amount of sleep on a nightly basis. Sleep is the way the body recharges itself and also gives the body the opportunity to generate new immune cells to fight the common viruses and bacteria of the winter season. In addition to feeling better and well-rested in general, people who get enough sleep (around eight hours every night) will find that they don’t get sick as often as their employees. When the body is starved for sleep, the immune system doesn’t have the opportunity to generate enough of an immune function to keep the body healthy.

Furthermore, water is important for flushing out many of the toxins that the body needs to get rid of. Many offices have water coolers where employees take breaks. Drink enough water to avoid thirst and the body will have the resources it needs to stay healthy.

Does the Building Have Proper Air Ventilation?

All employees should take the time to confirm that their workspace has proper air ventilation. This is vital because the air should circulate around the building efficiently. Proper air circulation will prevent contagious viruses and bacteria that float in the air from infection multiple people in the workplace. Without this air circulation, bacteria and viruses are pushed to the outside world and have the opportunity to infect multiple people in the workplace.

Anyone who has missed an extended amount of time at work and feels at risk of losing their job should contact an experienced professional for help. There might be legal avenues to help people fight companies who are wrongfully withholding pay from sick employees, inadequately safeguarding workers against illness and injury or who are trying to wrongfully terminate a sick worker.