How to avoid getting ill at work

News flash; we are officially in cold and flu season. Chances are, at least two or three people in your office are feeling under the weather and you’re living in fear that you’ll be next. As much as you like your colleagues, when someone is ill, you can trust no one. However, you don’t want to offend your colleagues. Avoid getting ill and having to take numerous days off work and do these five things.

1. Get the hand sanitiser ready
If you don’t own any hand sanitiser, get yourself down to the shop right now. Hand sanitizer will be your best friend during autumn and winter when everyone around you are infested with germs. Although soap and water does a good job, you don’t want to have to keep getting up to wash your hands. Make sure you sanitise before eating or putting your hands anywhere near your mouth, nose and eyes.

2. Avoid the germs
Of course, it is impossible to avoid absolutely everything. But bare in mind that you’re most likely to pick up on certain things. Try your best to avoid door handles, buttons on copy machines and printers and your colleague’s office equipment. If you commute to work, try your best to avoid holdings onto rails or sitting too close to others.

3. Keep cleaning
To avoid getting ill in the workplace, make sure you keep your desk and surrounding area super clean. Get some antibacterial wipes for your computer keyboard, phone, mouse and desk. If you want to get the whole office prepared for the flu season, also make sure you clean light switches and lift buttons.

4. Get ahead of the game
It is always worth getting ahead of the game when it comes to flu season. Look into where you can get flu jabs in your local area and have plenty of medication squeezed into your draws for an emergency situation in the office, like someone sneezing. If you get yourself sorted before people start falling ill around you, you’re not likely to get the flu like your colleagues.

5. Think about your colleagues
If you do end up falling ill, try not to take your illness into the office and end up making more of the team ill. Remember that your illness not only impacts you, but also everyone around you. It is OK to take ‘sick days’ and occasionally work from home and hopefully, your boss will understand this if you’d rather not take your illness into work.

 

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