This article connects the dots and how to prevent workplace spread privately and accurately.
We’re starting with a quick review of the generally familiar but crucial information you might need to convince mid-level decision-makers or union personnel about the value of preventing workplace illness spread.
What Are Communicable Diseases?
What Are Communicable Diseases?
Communicable diseases (a.k.a. infectious or contagious) are illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites that spread from person to person. Infection control, human resources, and environmental health and safety leaders are generally concerned with the more common germs people bring to work, including COVID-19, influenza A and B (a.k.a. flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (a.k.a. RSV).
How Do These Diseases Spread?
Communicable diseases spread through:
Airborne Transmission: Healthy people inhale infected droplets launched into the air when a contagious person sneezes, breathes, coughs, etc.
Surface Contact: A sick person sneezes into their hands, opens a door, and potentially infects the next person who touches:
Door handles
Keyboards
Lockers
Public surfaces
Sink faucets
The list goes on and on….
Close Contact: Bob greets Sam with a handshake and transfers his flu germs simultaneously.
Why Do They Affect Productivity?
When employees catch infectious diseases, several issues arise:
Increased Absenteeism: Sick employees need time off to recover, leading to higher absentee rates. This disrupts workflow and increases the workload for other employees.
Reduced Efficiency: Even if sick employees come to work, they may not perform at their best. Symptoms like fatigue, fever, and coughing can lower their productivity and slow down overall team performance.
Spread of Illness: If one employee brings an illness to work, it can quickly spread to others, causing more absences and a cycle of reduced productivity.
Take Control
Preventing workplace illness before symptoms appear is critical to maintaining productivity.
By proactively identifying and managing sick employees early, companies can significantly reduce absenteeism, avoid performance drops, and stop the spread of diseases like flu, RSV, and COVID-19.
Prioritizing these measures ensures a healthier workplace, supports smoother operations, and reduces the spread of community illness.
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