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Keep Your Team Healthy This Cold & Flu Season
When the temperature drops, office coughs and sneezes usually rise. Winter is peak cold and flu season, and it can hit workplaces hard, from reduced productivity to higher absence levels and employees struggling through the day feeling less than their best.
Jan 15, 2026
The good news? With the right hygiene practices, products, and simple daily routines, you can help reduce the spread of winter illnesses and keep your team healthier, happier, and more productive.
Here’s how to get your workplace winter ready.
1. Clean High-Touch Areas Regularly
Cold and flu viruses can linger on surfaces for hours, sometimes longer, which means high-touch areas are the biggest culprits for spreading germs.
Focus on cleaning:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Shared desks
- Kitchen surfaces
- Kettles and microwaves
- Printer/copier touch panels
- Handrails
- Fridge and cupboard handles
Stock up on:
- Multi-surface disinfectant sprays
- Antibacterial wipes
- Microfibre cloths
- Washroom cleaning products
A quick wipe-down routine, twice a day where possible, makes a big difference during peak winter illness months.
Take a look through our full range of cleaning products now or you can contact your account manager for further information and advice.
2. Encourage Better Hand Hygiene
Good hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce illness in the workplace.
Make it easy and automatic for staff to keep their hands clean.
Ensure you have:
- Plenty of hand soap in kitchens and washrooms
- Hand sanitiser stations around the building
- Tissues in meeting rooms, desks, and communal spaces
- Posters or subtle reminders on hygiene best practice
Providing comfortable, pleasant-smelling products encourages staff to use them more consistently, a small detail with a big impact.
Explore our range of hand soaps and if you’d like to discuss posters for communal areas and washroom our print team will be more than happy to help.
3. Improve Air Quality Wherever You Can
During winter, most workplaces keep doors and windows closed to stay warm, but that also allows viruses to circulate more easily.
Simple steps to improve air quality include:
- Opening windows for short ventilation bursts
- Keeping air vents clear
- Using air purifiers to reduce airborne particles
- Adding plants to improve freshness and circulation
Air purifiers and plants are especially helpful in meeting rooms, open-plan offices, and busy shared areas.
To request a copy of our BSG Workplace Planting Brochure from your account manager today.
4. Stock Up on Medical & First Aid Essentials
Illness is easier to manage, and often shorter, when you have the right first aid essentials onsite.
Review and restock:
- First aid kits
- Digital thermometers
- Cold/flu relief items (if your policy allows)
- Tissues and disposables
- Antibacterial hand wipes
Check expiry dates on first aid kits and restock any missing items. This is also a great time to reassess whether your workplace has the right number of first aid kits for its size and layout.
5. Keep Shared Spaces Fresh & Clean
Communal areas often see the highest footfall, and the highest germ traffic.
Give extra attention to:
- Kitchens
- Breakout spaces
- Meeting rooms
- Reception areas
Consider adding:
- Touch-free bins
- Air fresheners
- Frequent cleaning checklists
- Wipes for self-cleaning stations
Small improvements help reduce cross-contamination and keep your workplace feeling fresh and inviting.
6. Promote “Stay Home When Sick” as a Positive Policy
Presenteeism (working while unwell) can spread illness faster than anything else. Encourage employees to stay home if they’re feeling rough and support hybrid or remote options where possible.
A warm, understanding policy benefits everyone in the long run.
7. Lead by Example
It’s much easier for teams to take hygiene seriously when leadership demonstrates the same behaviours.
Encourage managers and team leaders to:
- Use sanitiser regularly
- Keep personal desks tidy
- Promote cleaning routines
- Support wellness initiatives
When the culture supports good habits, the whole team follows.
Final Thoughts
Cold and flu season is unavoidable, but widespread illness doesn’t have to be. A few simple steps, backed by the right products, can make a huge difference to reducing absences and keeping your workforce healthy during the winter months.
From cleaning supplies and tissues to sanitiser, soap, air purifiers, and first aid kits, we can help you stock the essentials needed to safeguard your team this season.
Contact your account manager today to get your workplace winter ready.
The good news? With the right hygiene practices, products, and simple daily routines, you can help reduce the spread of winter illnesses and keep your team healthier, happier, and more productive.
Here’s how to get your workplace winter ready.
1. Clean High-Touch Areas Regularly
Cold and flu viruses can linger on surfaces for hours, sometimes longer, which means high-touch areas are the biggest culprits for spreading germs.
Focus on cleaning:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Shared desks
- Kitchen surfaces
- Kettles and microwaves
- Printer/copier touch panels
- Handrails
- Fridge and cupboard handles
Stock up on:
- Multi-surface disinfectant sprays
- Antibacterial wipes
- Microfibre cloths
- Washroom cleaning products
A quick wipe-down routine, twice a day where possible, makes a big difference during peak winter illness months.
Take a look through our full range of cleaning products now or you can contact your account manager for further information and advice.
2. Encourage Better Hand Hygiene
Good hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce illness in the workplace.
Make it easy and automatic for staff to keep their hands clean.
Ensure you have:
- Plenty of hand soap in kitchens and washrooms
- Hand sanitiser stations around the building
- Tissues in meeting rooms, desks, and communal spaces
- Posters or subtle reminders on hygiene best practice
Providing comfortable, pleasant-smelling products encourages staff to use them more consistently, a small detail with a big impact.
Explore our range of hand soaps and if you’d like to discuss posters for communal areas and washroom our print team will be more than happy to help.
3. Improve Air Quality Wherever You Can
During winter, most workplaces keep doors and windows closed to stay warm, but that also allows viruses to circulate more easily.
Simple steps to improve air quality include:
- Opening windows for short ventilation bursts
- Keeping air vents clear
- Using air purifiers to reduce airborne particles
- Adding plants to improve freshness and circulation
Air purifiers and plants are especially helpful in meeting rooms, open-plan offices, and busy shared areas.
To request a copy of our BSG Workplace Planting Brochure from your account manager today.
4. Stock Up on Medical & First Aid Essentials
Illness is easier to manage, and often shorter, when you have the right first aid essentials onsite.
Review and restock:
- First aid kits
- Digital thermometers
- Cold/flu relief items (if your policy allows)
- Tissues and disposables
- Antibacterial hand wipes
Check expiry dates on first aid kits and restock any missing items. This is also a great time to reassess whether your workplace has the right number of first aid kits for its size and layout.
5. Keep Shared Spaces Fresh & Clean
Communal areas often see the highest footfall, and the highest germ traffic.
Give extra attention to:
- Kitchens
- Breakout spaces
- Meeting rooms
- Reception areas
Consider adding:
- Touch-free bins
- Air fresheners
- Frequent cleaning checklists
- Wipes for self-cleaning stations
Small improvements help reduce cross-contamination and keep your workplace feeling fresh and inviting.
6. Promote “Stay Home When Sick” as a Positive Policy
Presenteeism (working while unwell) can spread illness faster than anything else. Encourage employees to stay home if they’re feeling rough and support hybrid or remote options where possible.
A warm, understanding policy benefits everyone in the long run.
7. Lead by Example
It’s much easier for teams to take hygiene seriously when leadership demonstrates the same behaviours.
Encourage managers and team leaders to:
- Use sanitiser regularly
- Keep personal desks tidy
- Promote cleaning routines
- Support wellness initiatives
When the culture supports good habits, the whole team follows.
Final Thoughts
Cold and flu season is unavoidable, but widespread illness doesn’t have to be. A few simple steps, backed by the right products, can make a huge difference to reducing absences and keeping your workforce healthy during the winter months.
From cleaning supplies and tissues to sanitiser, soap, air purifiers, and first aid kits, we can help you stock the essentials needed to safeguard your team this season.
Contact your account manager today to get your workplace winter ready.