Cold and flu season affects everyone, and in the workplace illness can spread quickly without the right precautions. Preventing illness keeps everyone healthy, safe, and productive.
Why Does Illness Prevention Matter at Work?
One sick person can affect a whole crew.
- Flu and other illnesses spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces
- One sick person can spread germs to many coworkers
- Staying healthy reduces sick days and protects coworkers, friends, and families
What Are the Prevention Tips?
Hygiene, etiquette, and staying home when sick do most of the work.
- Practice good hygiene by washing hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer when soap is not available, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze, dispose of tissues immediately, and wash your hands afterward
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like door handles, phones, and shared equipment
- Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches, and report symptoms to your supervisor as soon as possible
