Every business owner needs to expect there are going to be some sick days once in a while, but when they start stacking up, it can do a lot of damage, including affecting productivity, morale, and it can even cost you more. The good news is that you can actually do things that should reduce the number of sick days in your business, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more. 

Photo by Edward Jenner

Make The Workplace Comfortable 

If your office is too hot, too cold, poorly lit, full of draughts, and so on, people are going to feel pretty run down when they’re there – comfort really does matter when it comes to productivity and the happiness and health of your employees. 

That’s why it’s so important to make sure the office is as comfortable as possible, with decent heating, good ventilation, ergonomic furniture, perhaps some plants for good measure… If the basics are good and they’re done properly, people aren’t going to mind being in the office so much. 

Encourage Good Hygiene Habits 

Offices can be literal breeding grounds for germs, especially if you’ve got a shared kitchen, meeting rooms, and open-plan spaces, for example. However, when you make it easy for people to keep up with their hygiene and wash their hands when they need to, wipe their desks down, clean shared equipment, etc, everyone should be happier and healthier. 

Stock up on things like hand sanitiser, wipes, and tissues, and make cleaning supplies visible so people know they’re there and they can use them. It’s true you won’t be able to completely eliminate germs, but you can reduce how easily they spread, and that’s better than nothing. 

Support Hydration And Healthy Habits 

Dehydration is a big problem when it comes to sick days – it can cause nasty headaches, tiredness, muscle aches, not to mention poor concentration, and it stands to reason that those symptoms are going to make people feel unwell enough to have to take a day or two off sick. 

It’s so simple, and so quick to do, that making water easily accessible should be at the top of any business owner’s to do list. Having water dispensers from Drop Water Coolers around the office means people don’t have to think twice about drinking more water during the day, and they’ll feel better and stay more focused as a result. 

Promote Reasonable Workloads 

Burnout is a massive reason for sick days in the modern world, and it’s no wonder – if people are always under pressure, working long hours, and never really switching off, they’re more likely to get ill or need mental health days off. 

The solution is to encourage realistic deadlines, proper breaks, and flexible working. It might sound strange, but sometimes the best thing you can do for better health in the office is to tell people to stop working because they’ve done enough. 

Check In With Your Team

Regular check-ins can help you spot problems early on. If someone’s struggling, tired, dealing with personal issues, or anything else, just a quick, informal conversation can help. Once you’ve got all the facts, you can adjust their workload or offer extra support before they feel the need to take any extra time off work.