It's virus season! Yes, you heard right. All those pesky germs are here. November kicks off flu season -- it's officially the time when infectious diseases tend to spread rapidly inside commercial spaces.

Jump to FAQs about How to Protect Your Facility During Virus Season

Flu Season Alert: How to Reduce Absenteeism with Professional Cleaning

Fall foliage and flu season go hand-in-hand in New England. For facility and property managers, it coincides with seasonal maintenance and building upkeep. With shorter days and chilly weather, people are huddling indoors. And you'd know it...germs love a crowd.  It's perfect conditions for viruses and bacteria to spread. From doorknobs to desks, break rooms to bathrooms, high-touch areas in offices can become hotspots for germs, impacting the health and productivity of your entire team. That is not a fun kind of party.

In this article, we share best practices for facilities in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts to stay safe, sanitary and healthy this flu and cold season.

The Surprising Speed of Germ Spread

It might surprise you to know just how quickly germs spread. Did you know a single contaminated doorknob in a high-traffic area can spread viruses to 40%-60% of those who touch it within just 2-4 hours? Yikes! And it just keeps going. Each touch allows employees and visitors to carry the germs further, from one surface to the next. Bacteria are no different: starting with only 10 bacterial cells on a doorknob, the colony can grow to well over half a million within 10 hours. Talk about overachievers!

This kind of germ express increases the chances of your staff picking up – and spreading – viruses like the common cold, COVID-19, influenza, strep throat, pink eye, RSV, and even gastrointestinal illnesses like E. coli and norovirus.

The Impact of November Viruses for your Workplace

When germs and bacteria go wild, people call in sick. And let’s face it, nobody wants a ghost town for an office. Absenteeism affects your team’s productivity and morale. Viruses like the flu and RSV can knock out employees for several days, impacting workflow, especially if illness spreads across departments. 

Are you staying ahead of disease spread? Hint, hint, a disinfection plan is crucial in reducing absenteeism rates and keeping your workplace healthy. By prioritizing a tailored commercial cleaning schedule, facility and property managers can prevent illness from impacting their team’s stress levels and the business’ bottom line.

What's the Secret Weapon? Professional Cleaning

Pros use customized cleaning checklists that target high-touch areas to kick those germs to the curb. Here's how our janitorial experts help during flu season:

1. Frequent Disinfection of High-Touch Areas:

• Our team targets doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, shared equipment, and other high-touch surfaces with commercial-grade disinfectants. This kind of frequent cleaning breaks the cycle of germ spread, keeping your facility healthier and safer.

2. Thorough Restroom Sanitation:

• Bathrooms require a full-on blitz. They are significant sources of bacteria and viruses, particularly in high-traffic facilities. Our team thoroughly sanitizes these spaces, focusing on touch-points like faucets, light switches, and stall doors to reduce bacterial spread.  

3. Break Room Rescue:

• Shared spaces like kitchens and break rooms are common areas for germs to spread. We make sure these areas are consistently cleaned and disinfected, from countertops to shared appliances, reducing potential transmission points. Everyone loves safe snacking zones.  

4. Custom Clean:

• Every workplace is unique, and our team works with you to create a cleaning schedule that fits like a glove. We understand your traffic patterns, high-touch areas and times of high demand, ensuring maximum disease prevention and seasonal maintenance in the areas that matter most. 

Tips to Reduce Absenteeism and Boost Productivity this Virus Season

• Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home: Support your team by encouraging them to rest and recover at home to avoid spreading illness.
• Promote Good Hygiene: Provide hand sanitizers at entrances, break rooms, and workstations, and display reminders about hand-washing in restrooms.
• Ensure Good Ventilation: Proper air circulation can help reduce the spread of airborne viruses, so maintain your ventilation systems as part of building upkeep.
• Stay Informed About Local Health Updates: Knowledge is power! Keep up with local health advisories in Rhode Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts. This awareness helps team members remain vigilant, especially when virus rates are high.

Conclusion:

Stay Protected with Professional Office Cleaning Services

Don’t let viruses crash your workplace party this November. With a solid cleaning game plan, you can keep your team healthy, happy and productive.

Are you ready to learn more? Give the experts at System4IPS a shout! We are here to make your facility in Rhode Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts the cleanest place in town. Want a peek at pricing? Visit our website to use our customized online quote calculator!

By choosing commercial cleaning services, you can benefit from the expertise of professionals who can deliver exceptional cleaning results and maintain a pristine environment for your business.

FAQs about Protecting Your Facility During Flu Season

Q1. Why is November considered virus season?

A: November marks the beginning of colder weather, which leads to more people spending time indoors where viruses can spread more easily. With people in closer proximity and more shared surfaces in workplaces, viruses like the flu, common cold, RSV, and even COVID-19 are more likely to spread quickly.

Q2. How can a single contaminated surface, like a doorknob, lead to widespread illness?

A: A single contaminated doorknob in a high-traffic area can spread germs incredibly fast. Research shows that viruses can spread to 40%-60% of those who touch it within just a few hours. Bacteria can multiply even faster—starting with just a few cells, colonies can reach the millions within hours. Frequent touching by multiple people spreads these germs further, quickly affecting other surfaces and people.

Q3. Besides COVID-19, what other illnesses should we be cautious about this season?

A: In addition to COVID-19, viruses like the common cold, influenza, RSV, strep throat, and pink eye are all highly contagious. Bacterial infections such as E. coli and salmonella, as well as viruses like norovirus, can also spread rapidly on contact surfaces and pose significant health risks in the workplace.

Q4. How can a commercial cleaning program help reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria?

A: A professional cleaning program focuses on high-touch surfaces, restrooms, shared spaces, and customizes cleaning schedules based on your facility’s specific needs. By frequently disinfecting areas like doorknobs, elevator buttons, and break rooms, a cleaning team can interrupt the cycle of germ transmission, helping to keep your facility healthier and reducing the spread of illnesses.

5. What can facility managers do beyond cleaning to reduce absenteeism during virus season?

A:Encourage employees to stay home when sick, provide hand sanitizers and promote good hand-washing practices, and ensure proper ventilation in the workplace. Staying informed about local health advisories also helps managers anticipate times when virus rates are especially high, allowing for a proactive approach to protect the team.

Lacking janitorial staffing?

Concerned about a staffing shortage and whether you are using the right cleaning service for your workplace? It's not too late to find the perfect janitorial team that will keep your workplace clean and safe. Look for solid custodian referrals and consult with System4 IPS. 

Which custodian or janitorial team is best for you? System4IPS specializes in creating customized janitorial programs  that meet the unique need of businesses like yours!

If your workplace experiences a singular COVID-19 positive case or outbreak, call System4 IPS and schedule your disinfection service today. Our professional team listens to your needs, requirements, and timing. See our many satisfied customer testimonials and public Google ratings.