How to Educate Staff About Commonsense Sanitary Habits

No matter where you are in the country (or even the world), you’ve probably been affected somehow by the coronavirus. Maybe an event you were going to was canceled. Maybe your classes have been postponed, or your office shut down. If you know someone who is/was sick, maybe you’ve even experienced quarantine.

And most of us have experienced the dismal sight of grocery stores around the country with bare shelves as people prepare for the worst. The coronavirus was first diagnosed in China at the end of 2019, and most symptoms impact people with already-weakened immune systems or the elderly.

One thing the news of this virus has done, however, is encouraging people to take their health and hygiene seriously. The World Health Organization has stated that the best way to reduce your risk of coronavirus (and many other illnesses) is to wash your hands as often and as thoroughly as possible with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub.

Whether you’re concerned about this virus or you’re trying not to give in to the irrational panic, it’s still an important reminder that we need to take even the most commonsense sanitary habits very seriously. That’s especially true in the workplace. By having sensible guidelines in place for your staff, you can avoid unnecessary panic and overreaction, and encourage thorough healthy hygiene habits.

Education and Information

One of the best ways to alleviate panic over something like coronavirus or another illness is to educate your staff. Accurate information is a powerful tool. One of the best ways to educate your staff is to talk about the possibilities of illnesses at work, and how to prevent them. You don’t have to focus solely on coronavirus.

For example, the CDC notes that the flu causes anywhere from 9.3 million to 49 million illnesses in the U.S. each year. Ways to reduce your risk include:

●  Frequent hand-washing

●  Getting a flu vaccine

●  Boosting your immune system

●  Cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces

The more your team understands how illnesses spread and what can be done to prevent them, the easier it can be to get everyone on board with a health and wellness strategy for your business. If you don’t feel you have the personal knowledge to talk about such things on your own, it can often be worth it to bring in a health educator for a seminar or meeting with your staff. Health educators are required to stay up-to-date with the latest health research to keep their clients well-informed.

Encourage Healthy Habits

Educating your staff also means teaching them the importance of healthy habits and sanitary practices in the workplace. What might seem like commonsense guidelines to you may not be so obvious to others.

Encourage your staff to protect themselves by implementing healthy habits into their daily routines, including:

●  Staying hydrated

●  Getting enough sleep

●  Working out for longer periods of time/slower workouts

●  Washing hands

●  Eating a healthy diet with limited processed foods

●  Practicing cleanliness at home and in the workplace

It’s also important to educate your staff on exactly how to wash their hands. While they may not be scrubbing in for surgery, there are some specific rules to follow to get the most out of hand washing. First, it’s always better to use soap and water, rather than hand sanitizer. Sanitizer should be used as a supplement to hand washing, not a replacement.

The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to get the backs of your hands, your fingernails, and in-between your fingers. Encouraging proper handwashing techniques can help to keep your staff healthier in the workplace and out of it.

Understanding Hidden Health Problems

It’s also important to educate your staff on the dangers of illnesses that may not be so obvious at first. One of the biggest health concerns facing people today is stress.

Workers who are stressed are problematic for businesses because they’re typically less motivated and less efficient. They may even miss work more often if the symptoms of stress start to manifest themselves physically. Stress can quickly hijack anyone’s life and take their focus away from what’s important.

Some of the most common symptoms of stress include:

●  Low energy

●  Headaches

●  Fatigue

●  Insomnia

●  Frequently getting sick

When you teach your employees to recognize these signs, you can also teach them tips on how to alleviate stress, including things like taking a break from electronics, eating right, and reducing caffeine intake. Over-scheduling can also influence stress, so work with your employees to make sure they have enough “free time,” and they’re not over-worked or cramped for time.

By educating your employees on healthier habits from the inside out (especially sanitary habits), you can reduce the worry within your business. A healthy, clean atmosphere can help to set people at ease, especially during these trying times where things seem to be spinning out of control. If your business doesn’t already have a hygiene or wellness plan in place, talk to someone who can help you get started, and work toward giving your employees guidelines that will keep everyone safe and healthy.