Corporate character very sick

The office is one of the easiest places to catch the flu, according to an article on the ABC12 website. It's peak flu season now, so chances are someone at the office has caught the bug - and when one person gets sick it seems to spread like wildfire.

Getting a vaccine is probably a good idea, but a clean workspace is also a good deterrent.

Encouraging occupants to properly clean their space can help avoid the spread of infections. That means more than just wiping an area down, though. Surfaces must be both cleaned and disinfected.

This mindset also goes beyond just what's on desks. Germs can be spread anywhere a person touches. High-touch points include things like chairs or tables, and especially cell phones. Door handles, light switches and paper towel dispensers also need extra attention.

The workplace also should have an accessible supply of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to help keep the flu at bay.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu caused U.S. employees to miss approximately 17 million workdays in 2018. That resulted in an estimated $7 billion a year in sick time and lost productivity.

Additional tactics to keep the workplace healthy include:

• Increasing air circulation — by boosting the exchange rate of ventilation systems, or using ceiling or portable fans — can diffuse flu viruses and limit their spread.

• Using air purifiers with HEPA filters and high flow rates designed to remove particles can also be effective in removing viruses from the air.