Flu Season Office Survival Guide: Keeping Your Workplace Healthy

Flu season is here, and with it comes the need to protect our health, especially in high-traffic environments like offices. For many businesses, preventing the flu from spreading can mean fewer sick days, greater productivity, and a healthier team. At TamCare, we specialize in office cleaning and disinfecting services to keep workplaces healthy, so we’re sharing our top tips and insights to help you get through this flu season strong.

Why Office Spaces Are High-Risk During Flu Season

The typical office is full of shared surfaces, recycled air, and close contact with others—ideal conditions for viruses to spread. According to the CDC, high-touch surfaces like desks, door handles, and breakroom appliances can remain infectious for up to 48 hours. Studies also indicate that flu outbreaks in workplaces often lead to a 20-30% increase in absenteeism, which disrupts productivity and impacts morale. For more ways to prevent illness at work, see our guide on office sanitation best practices.

5 Tips to Stay Healthy This Flu Season

Whether you’re working in an open office, a private cubicle, or even a hybrid model, these practices can keep you and your team healthy:

1. Practice Regular Hand Hygiene
   Frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses. The CDC recommends using warm water and soap, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Studies show that using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is highly effective against most germs. For more on workplace hand hygiene, check out our recommendations.
2. Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
   Items like phones, keyboards, and door handles are hotspots for germs. Wiping down these surfaces daily can drastically reduce the risk of viral spread. Professional cleaning and disinfecting services like TamCare offer thorough, routine disinfecting of high-touch areas, helping to keep workspaces as germ-free as possible. Learn about our disinfection services designed to safeguard your office.
3. Use Personal Desk Supplies
   Sharing is caring—but not when it comes to flu prevention. Try to use your own supplies, especially high-touch items like pens, staplers, and mugs. Reducing shared items reduces cross-contamination, a common way for viruses to spread.
4. Prioritize Proper Ventilation
   Good air quality is key to keeping germs at bay. According to Harvard Business Review, well-ventilated areas are linked to lower rates of respiratory illness. For more information, see our article on improving office air quality.

5. Avoid Touching your Face
   Germs often enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Try to avoid touching your face, especially when you’ve been in contact with common surfaces.

How Cleaning Services Play a Key Role in Flu Prevention

Professional cleaning is crucial in high-traffic areas, especially during flu season. Services like TamCare’s are designed to target and sanitize high-touch surfaces and maintain a hygienic office environment, making it safer for everyone. According to OSHA, frequent cleaning and disinfection, particularly in shared spaces, are essential for flu prevention.

At TamCare, we offer customizable cleaning schedules that meet the needs of different businesses, from daily cleaning to more intensive disinfecting sessions.

Flu season is tough on everyone, but by following these simple tips and maintaining a clean workspace, your team can stay healthier, happier, and more productive. For businesses seeking a healthier office environment, TamCare is here to help. From routine cleaning to specialized disinfecting, we provide the support you need to keep your workplace safe.

To learn more about how TamCare can ensure a healthy work environment contact us to learn about our customizable, eco-friendly solutions.