Running a successful business cannot be done alone. You need healthy employees to help ensure productivity. However with about 50 million U.S. individuals susceptible to allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), focus and productivity can be low during allergy season. To make matters worse, respiratory issues inflamed by asthma affect about 26 million Americans (ACAAI). Many businesses can see an inevitable rise in absences by employees affected by either or both of these conditions.

While employees are not required by law to disclose health conditions (unless otherwise indicated in their employment contract due to work environment conditions where existing medical problems would be dangerous to their health), awareness of these issues helps your team succeed. Respiratory allergies and asthma are typically triggered by air irritants and environmental conditions, such as pollen or pollution levels. Food allergies are the second most common leading instigator of allergic reactions at work.

How can you help?

1. A clean workspace helps to lessen the likelihood of an allergy or asthma attack. Hiring a commercial cleaning company allows you to customize the type of cleaning care you desire for your workspace. Many commercial cleaners offer dusting, floor cleaning, disinfecting and sanitization. Make sure your office space is cleaned regularly to eliminate dust build up, since dust and pollen are primary sources of irritants for both conditions.
2. Opt to have your air ducts cleaned every three to five years to reduce dust build up around your registers and ducts. This not only helps with cooling and heating efficiency but improves the overall air quality of your workplace.
3. Be considerate with your commercial business landscaping. Grass and plant pollen are high irritants for those with seasonal allergies. Conserve water with xeriscaping, or opt for water-saving plants that produce less pollen, such as succulents, sunflowers, snapdragons, tulips and pansies. If you want trees, you can plant certain fruit trees, such as apple, cherry, pear or plum, since they are less likely to produce airborne pollen.
4. Set a rule regarding any homemade treats. Enforce a suggestion that every homemade item be available with an ingredient list for conscious awareness of food allergies.
5. Strong colognes or perfumes can also offset allergies. If your business is in a small space or has a lot of allergy suffers, you can make a notice available to your employees to be respectful to their fellow coworkers’ sensitivities. Granted, you can’t send anyone home for this reason, but by showing a vested interest in everyone’s considerations, your team will likely feel valued and want to mimic your leadership and thoughtfulness.

Anago of Cincinnati-Dayton provides commercial janitorial services to businesses of all shapes and sizes throughout the greater Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky areas. Our award-winning cleaning services and dedication towards making businesses safer and cleaner has set us apart. Take advantage of our two-hour response guarantee when you contact us!