On the 8th September 2013, the Sunday Independent printed an article citing that recent research had shown since the down turn Presenteeism was becoming an issue for Irish Businesses. Aviva Workplace Healthcare Index  research showed that employees are showing up to work although they’re not in a fit condition. This research showed that productivity was reduced by 1/3. The cost implication for employers is 3 times the cost of an absent employee.

In the USA, Employers are currently experiencing a total loss of $150-250 billion per annum due to Presenteeism. Presenteeism can contribute to 60% of the total cost of illness.

In 2004, a Study carried out by Tufts  – New England Medical Centre in Boston, was printed in the Havard Business Review.  The study assessed the impact of 28 medical conditions on employees productivity. Lockheed Martin Corporation, the participating company, found allergies, headaches, lower back pain, arthritis, colds and flu set the company back about $34 Million per annum. They also found that sinus trouble and allergies impact businesses most with absenteeism. It should be noted that some of the attributing factors for allergies include:  house dust, pollen, mould, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, and foods. Others such as medicines and chemicals can also cause allergic symptoms.

1. House Dust  – is not just relevant to the house.  The composition varies from location to location.  You might find textile fibers, decomposing insect parts, pet dander, human and animal hair, food leftovers, pollen grains, mold spores, bacteria, skin flakes, insulation, sand, and the most likely offender, the dust mite and its faecal material.
2. Pollen –  There are a number of contributors that produce pollen grains. These include Trees, weeds, flowers, and grasses produce pollen grains which become airborne as the wind blows. Approximately a quarter of a million plants use the wind for transporting pollen grains. Insects such as bees play a role in the distribution of pollen from plant to plant.
3. Mold – This is  everywhere, indoors and out, in every type of climate, and in every social and economic condition. They grow in places we would not expect. They are elusive and will be more prevalent at different times of the day or night depending on the type of mold. A single mold can germinate and produce hundreds of thousands of airborne spores in 4-9 days. Mold and Pollen numbers reach highs during the same times of year and it is thought that mold impacts Hay Fever rather than pollen.
4. Animal Dander  -  is not the hair or fur of the animal, but is old skin scales which are constantly shed. Older animals produce more dander than young ones because their skin is drier. Animal dander is extremely light weight and tiny in size, (approx. 2.5 microns) and can stay airborne for hours. (1 micron = 1/25,000 in.)
5. Dust mites  – Dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny bugs that commonly live in house dust. Signs of dust mite allergy include sneezing and runny nose. Many people with dust mite allergy also experience signs of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. Dust mites, close relatives of ticks and spiders, are too small to see without a microscope. Dust mites eat skin cells shed by people, and they thrive in warm, humid environments.

There are a number of items that an employer can do to assist with Presenteeism. Particularly with regard to Allergies, colds and flu’s however; the most cost effective approach is to look at the in house cleaning practices.

• Review your cleaning staff’s practices
• How often are area’s of high traffic cleaned
• Are skirting’s and walls dusted and cleaned regularly
• What equipment is currently used? how often are cloths and mops changed?
• What chemicals are used?
• How often are carpets and soft furnishing such as textile chairs cleaned – vacuum and washed?
• Is there a carpet cleaning program in place?
• What paper work is in place to ensure that cleaning practices are carried out?
• Window ledges – this is a likely area for mould to grow
• Window cleaning as dust particles stick to windows and glass
• Office presses, cupboards and light switches, radiators – how often are these area’s cleaned
• Ensuring that your cleaning equipment is well maintained and clean
• Computers and Desks – Is there a cleaning program in place
• Ensuring that a weekly desk cleaning program is in place.
• If using a contract cleaning company that staff are being managed properly and dust levels are monitored appropriately
• Appropriate steps are taken to ensure air conditioning is managed and regularly monitored to ensure filters are regularly cleaned.
• Ensuring high touch areas are regularly cleaned such as door handles, water fountains, taps, elevator buttons, stair banisters
• Education to staff on proper hand hygiene – Proper methods to wash hands
• What quality assurance and audits does your cleaning company provide you with
• Is your equipment Allergy Friendly

Once all of these elements are put in place your staff should see a reduction with allergies that Employees are suffering from. A good contract cleaning partner should be able to point these elements to you an build this into its cleaning program. Another method employers could take is to become an allergy free building.

The spread of cold and flu’s can be managed through good cleaning methods as mentioned above and with in our article Office cleaning is much more that a rub of a cloth.

About Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists

Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists has provided a multi-award winning nationwide contract cleaning service since 1992. Awards include “the Cleanest Healthcare Premises in Ireland & UK”.
Their varied experience includes a wide variety of different Industry Sectors including:Healthcare,  Retail, Office, Educational, Manufacturing, Hospitalityand Industrial. We work with organisations of all sizes and budgets.

Derrycourt’s reputation is one that has grown from strength to strength and is built on the delivery of a seamless, reliable and professional service for all clients. Our long standing relationships with many of our clients, is proof of the benefits we realise for our clients, “We don’t cut corners – we clean them!”

Derrycourt employ over 1,300 fully trained staff nationwide. Their training is accredited by BICSc (British Institute of Cleaning Science).

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