The winter months always have a huge impact on workplace productivity, with sickness and absence running rife in offices across the UK. This winter, we are suffering from the additional threat of the coronavirus, making stringent hygiene practices even more important than usual.

Luckily, implementing simple hygiene strategies in the office can significantly improve the chances of staying healthy and sniffle-free during the cold season.

Here are some ways you can protect your staff from illness and keep your workplace healthy:

Promote good hand hygiene

Staff should be washing their hands regularly with good quality soap, and hand sanitiser stations should also be available around the office.

Consider installing no-touch soap dispensers and sanitisers too. These help to further promote hand hygiene by eliminating the need for contact, thereby minimising the spread of germs.

Cleaning regimes

Ensure that communal areas like shared kitchens and bathrooms are cleaned thoroughly and regularly.

Open plan offices with only basic daily cleaning practices in place should carry out a professional deep clean at least twice a year to prevent the build-up of dirt and bacteria.

Desk cleaning

Desks and desk equipment are a hotbed of nasty bacteria and should be cleaned frequently. Encourage staff to clean their desk areas by providing anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitising gels.

Prevention of spread

If an employee does succumb to a virus, make sure they stay away from the office for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have disappeared to avoid spreading their germs around.  

Investing time and energy in establishing robust workplace hygiene practices will not only create a healthier and happier workforce, it will also help protect businesses from losing lots of days to sickness — keeping motivation and productivity up throughout the cold winter months.

This news was brought to you by Morgan Pryce, a specialist tenant acquisition agent with offices in Oxford Circus and the City. Morgan Pryce specialises in search, negotiation and project management and works exclusively for tenants.