Avoid, avoid, avoid
It probably goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, if you hear or notice that someone in the office is unwell with an illness that is contagious, for example the common cold, make sure to stand well out from them when they are talking.
If you can communicate with this person via the internet then do so, as limited exposure is key. Additionally, if you notice that you are also beginning to feel unwell, try not to continue the cycle of going into work sick, only to pass it on to someone else.
More than 200 viruses can cause the common cold, so make sure you wash your hands after touching frequently used items, such as door handles, keyboards and shared office appliances.
Keep it fresh
As someone who is always just a little bit too cold, opening a window when the weather is poor sounds like an icy version of hell. However, it is important to ventilate an office environment properly, even during the colder months, to ensure decent air quality.
Small, crowded or poorly ventilated rooms can be a breeding ground for commonly caught illnesses, so if your place of employment has limited or subpar ventilation, consider wrapping up and heading outside for a few minutes, just to get a breath of fresh air.
Look after yourself
There are multiple variations of the common cold, flu virus and seasonal bugs and everyone is going to react differently based on their own immune system. A good example would be if you are in close contact with someone who is unwell, but you don’t become unwell yourself.
While you never know how your body is going to respond to an illness and you can never 100pc prevent becoming sick, you can do your best to rally your body by eating well, drinking enough water and getting enough sleep.
Signs that you have a weakened immune system include digestion issues, excessive tiredness, slowly healing wounds and frequent infections, such as multiple bouts of sinusitis or pneumonia.
Make use of flexible scheduling
If you work in an organisation that offers flexible, hybrid or remote working options, why not make use of them during the months when people are more likely to be ill with seasonal colds and flu. Basically, you can’t get sick from the workplace if you aren’t there.
People can remain contagious even after they begin to feel better, so remote working when you know someone is still unwell, or if you yourself are beginning to come out of it, is a great alternative.
Read the full article here
By Laura Varley/ Silicon Republic
