As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your business is safe for employees and customers alike. Workplace accidents and illness can cost your business money. Not only will you experience the stress of lost profits, but it can be a bad look for your company. Protecting the people who enter your business should be your number-one priority, and it takes swift action and the investment in supplies to do so to the best of your ability. The following recommendations will help navigate the safety of your workers and customers to keep you in business.
Install Protective Shields
Employees at cash registers and reception desks have to come into contact with the majority of customers who enter your business during a normal shift. Studies have shown that the viral illnesses that happen in winter are usually caused by respiratory droplets that are transferred from one human to another. Consider installing plastic sneeze guards to add a barrier between the customer or client and the employee. These sneeze guards stop respiratory droplets from reaching the employee, therefore slowing the spread of any viral illnesses. By protecting your employees from germs, you can reduce the number of sick days called in due to illness.
Hire a Cleaner
Keeping your building clean and hiring someone to sanitize surfaces regularly throughout the day can significantly reduce the chances of someone catching a virus from a surface. Some viruses can live on surfaces for hours or days, so ensuring that all surfaces are cleaned on a regular basis is an important part of maintaining a safe work environment.
Keep Hand Sanitizer Available
Consistently washing and sanitizing the hands is the best way to steer clear of contracting and spreading viruses in the workplace. Keep sanitizer stocked in heavily trafficked areas so that people can use it whenever they need it. It may also be worth adding signs to your bathrooms reminding employees to wash their hands before returning to work and may be required in businesses involving food.
Not only do signs and these other methods act as a reminder to your employees that they should be doing their due diligence in keeping the workplace healthy, but it signals to your clients and customers that you care about their health, as well as the health of your workers. Do what’s best for your employees and clients and you’ll likely see an increase in both company satisfaction and your bottom line.
