Flu Season Tips for Customer Service Employees

Flu season can wreak havoc on any business, but it can be especially rough on call centres. Because the flu is highly contagious, it can spread quickly through an office building, putting lots of employees out of commission for days at a time. Here’s how you can help your customer service team keep healthy during cold and flu season.

Flu shots

Flu shots aren’t a guarantee that you won’t get the flu, but they greatly reduce the likelihood of you getting it. And for many, the severity of the flu is lessened if you have had a flu shot. Many medical providers offer on-site flu shot administration, so you can arrange for your entire team to have theirs administered at work. It’s a low cost way to help cut down on the number of flu cases in your business, so talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits for your employees.

Good hygiene

Good workplace hygiene shouldn’t stop with handwashing. Keep hand sanitizer at every desk and have employees use it throughout the day. If they use tissues, make sure that all tissues go straight into the trash can after use. Use antibacterial wipes to wipe down telephones, doorknobs, desk tops, and any surface that comes into contact with your hands throughout the day. Don’t forget the buttons of the printer, copier, and fax machines–these places can harbor lots of germs since they are used by so many different people.

Encourage healthy lifestyle choices

It can be tempting to indulge in lots of comfort foods during the colder months, but try to encourage your employees to eat a healthy diet and drink lots of fluids during the cold and flu season. Keeping up good general health boosts your immune system and helps you battle colds and flu more easily.

If your employees do get sick, tell them to stay at home. It’s a good idea to have a plan in place to provide coverage in case you have several employees out at once, so plan ahead and consider finding extra help as a backup plan.

For more information on managing your customer service team, visit Answer 365 today.