Tag Archive for: sick at work

How To Avoid Getting Sick While On The Job

Keeping fit and ready to roll is always a top priority for everybody, and staying healthy at work is a big part of this. No matter your role or your industry you can be proactive about your own health at all times and make sure you’re doing whatever is necessary to keep healthy. All it really takes is some simple steps to accomplish this goal, and you’ll be glad that you did what you could to stay ahead of the curve. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite tips below for staying healthy in the workplace and beyond.

Keep it clean

The easiest way to help stay healthy is to keep everything clean, from your body to your personal items to your workspace. It’s very easy for germs to fester and prosper, especially in damp and warm conditions, and most of what you touch fits the bill for that. Your phone is one of the dirtiest things that you’ll ever touch in a given day. Your keyboard is not far behind the cleanliness department, and your desk and other hard surfaces need to be wiped down regularly. With technology it’s never been easier to stay on top of this—we recommend setting an alarm on your phone or computer to wipe these surfaces down with a disinfecting wipe every day or two, and conduct a deep clean about once a week. You’ll be glad you made this investment in time and effort.

Get some sleep

We are only just beginning to unlock the understanding of the power of sleep. In fact, it’s one of the most popular trends among professional athletes right now. They are paying close attention to their sleep habits and cycles in addition to their customary dedication to training, diet, exercise and activity levels. Sleep is a critical regenerative process and all of us could probably use more of it, truth be told. So think like a pro athlete and understand that the machine that is your body needs more rest. Talking with your doctor about the sleep habits that would suit your body and lifestyle is a good first step.

Wash your hands!

This one sounds the most obvious but it’s the most effective—wash your hands regularly. It’s a good habit to get into, especially after you touch something dirty or before and after you eat. You’ll be staying on top of the germs that regularly regenerate on your skin and helping to prevent the transmission of infections like colds and sore throats—not to mention more serious conditions. Clean hands are one of the best lines of defense that you can have.

Staying healthy is a great way to just feel better on a daily basis. Nobody wants to have that nagging cold they can’t shake—to say nothing of more serious matters. Staying clean is a matter of being vigilant and observant about your habits and making sure you’re being proactive about cleaning and germ control. You’ll be glad that you made the investment in your own wellness.
Ready to find the right job? Award Staffing is here to help when you reach out to us today.

Signs You Need to Call in Sick to Work

Cold and flu season is officially here. With the first signs of sniffles and sneezes, employees will have to decide whether or not to call in sick to work.

Unfortunately, your health isn’t the only thing impacting your decision. You may not have enough sick leave – or any sick leave – and you can’t afford to miss work. Sometimes our Midwestern work ethic makes it hard for us to ask for a day of rest. Maybe we faked sick so many times as kids we don’t even believe ourselves any more.

Whatever the case, too many employees come to work sick, putting their coworkers and customers at risk. Cold and flu season is the wrong time to be a hero. If you have these four symptoms, consider whether it’s time to email your manager.

You have a headache

No, not the kind of headache your obnoxious coworker gives you. If you have a real stress headache, you’ll feel it on the sides of your head and behind your eyes. If you have a migraine, you’ll usually feel it on one side of the head. If you wake up with your head pounding, try to determine the cause. If you think some water and medicine will take it away, you’re probably fine to go to work. If it’s more serious and you don’t think you can be productive, a day of rest can make all the difference. Listen to your body and call your doctor if you’re concerned.

Your nose is running

A runny nose is the first symptom of any number of conditions. You could be in the early stages of a cold or even the flu. It could also be allergies or a sinus infection, which while not contagious could make you into a miserable employee. If you wake up with a runny nose, evaluate how you feel. If you have other symptoms like a headache or cough, you may not be useful in the workplace.

You have a fever

While you could still be productive with a runny nose, you should absolutely stay home if you have a fever. A fever is the most common symptom of the flu and you risk infecting the rest of your coworkers. A fever is usually accompanied by chills and body aches and pains. You definitely won’t perform your work well, and you risk making yourself even sicker and having to be out longer. Do everyone a favor and stay in bed if you’re running a fever.

You have the chills

Just as you should stay home when you have a fever, chills are also a sign that it’s time to call it a day. Chills are similar to a fever in that they are a change in your body’s temperature and a sign that something is wrong. As with a fever, chills are often accompanied by body aches. You won’t get anything done if you’re shivering in pain.

Being sick is no fun, but being able to take a paid sick day is a luxury many people don’t have. If you’re looking for a new job that offers great benefits, Award Staffing can help. Check out our latest job opportunities.