The colder months typically bring about a variety of winter illnesses such as the common cold, flu, and the “the winter blues.” While these illnesses are sometimes unavoidable, the correct measures can help keep your employees healthy, happy, and productive.
Here are 5 tips:
Promote healthy eating habits
To fight the cold each winter, a healthy immune system is a must. Promote healthier eating habits by providing fruit and healthy snack alternatives in the office, and send vouchers or even care packages to potential remote employees. Be sure to also encourage hydration.
Reduce the risk of spreading germs
Prevention is always better than treatment. Just encouraging employees to properly wash their hands with clean, running water and soap for at least 20 seconds can go a long way in reducing the spread of germs.
Bundle up for the cold
When temperatures drop, it's important to stay warm and dry. Encourage your employees to bundle up this winter with light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and boots. While a holiday ugly sweater competition can add some fun to staying warm, you may also consider holding a winter clothing drive in the office to keep community members warm too.
Help employees manage stress
With colder weather and shorter days, a lot of people can feel depressed, stressed, and overwhelmed during the winter season. To help employees cope, introduce initiatives to support mental health, whether it be offering more support and flexibility, or allowing for more time off.
Encourage exercise
It's easy to skip exercise during the winter months. Fortunately, staying active doesn't mean having to go outside for a run. Encourage employees to move away from their desks throughout the day for easy activities like ergonomic stretches, stair walks, walking meetings (weather permitting), and indoor exercises such as weight training or a conditioning class.
Looking for help in implementing these workplace changes, and more? Get in touch with us today for the latest in human resources expertise.