Whether you’re a business owner or employee, it’s important to keep your workplace healthy, especially during the flu season. Taking a few simple steps to protect your office or workplace from the spread of infection can not only prevent the costs associated with extended sick leave, but also ensure that everyone in the workplace stays healthy, happy, and productive.

Here are five ways to keep your workplace healthy:

Maintain clean workspaces and common areas

Regularly cleaning desktops and surrounding areas can help prevent the spread of bacteria. May workplaces choose to employ professional cleaners to maintain clean and tidy workplaces, but there are a few things you can do to facilitate employees keeping their workstations clear as well. Ensuring that there’s plenty of bins to dispose of food scraps, tissues and other rubbish is one way to minimise bacteria. It’s also important that employees have access to antibacterial cleaning spray and cleaning cloths or paper towel so that they can regularly wipe down and disinfect their cubicle or desk. Remember to regularly disinfect surfaces and items which are regularly touched like doorknobs, keyboards, and telephones, as these often tend to harbour germs.

Encourage exercise in the workplace

Getting plenty of exercise is an important part of maintaining good health and wellbeing. Some workplaces choose to implement a workplace wellbeing program that incorporates access to a gym or subsidized membership, but it’s equally important to stay active and moving throughout the day. Encouraging regular breaks for walks or stretching can help employees squeeze in a little extra movement into their day. You may also wish to schedule walking meetings as opposed to meeting in a conference room or seated in an office. Not only does this mean everyone gets a bit of exercise, but it can also help with staying alert and energised throughout the day.

Facilitate healthy food choices

At the end of the day, each of us are responsible for the food that we eat. However, there’s a lot to be said for creating a healthy and supportive culture in the workplace to assist with living a healthy lifestyle. Processed food like biscuits and cakes are often shared for meetings or morning teas in the workplace, but over time can negatively affect our health when they’re eaten in excess. Instead, try offering a platter with a variety of colourful vegetables and healthy dips, or consider chopping up some fresh fruit.

Encourage personal hygiene

Much like our diets, personal hygiene comes down to the behaviours and habits of each individual. However, there are subtle ways to support hygiene practices that prevent the spread of germs. Make sure that bathrooms and kitchen areas are stocked with antibacterial hand wash and consider reminding staff to regularly wash their hands. It’s also important to have a steady supply of tissues throughout the office so that people can cover their mouths and noses when they cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of germs.

Get your office vaccinated against the flu

One of the most effective ways to protect yourself, your office, and your community against the flu is to get the flu vaccination. Capital Chemist is committed to making it as easy as possible to get immunised. We offer a corporate flu vaccination service where one of our pharmacists will arrive on site and find a private place to administer the vaccination. Each staff member will be prescreened to ensure that they are fit and suitable to receive the vaccine. Once the prescreening is completed, they’ll be administered the vaccination and monitored for any reactions. It’s a convenient and simple way to proactively protect your employees or colleagues against the spread of infection.

Geographic restrictions apply, so contact your local participating Capital Chemist today and inquire about getting work workplace vaccinated.