Stay Healthy at Work This Fall: 10 Tips to Prevent Cold and Flu in the Workplace

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, fall brings not only beautiful scenery but also the start of flu and cold season. In the workplace, this can mean more sick days, lower productivity, and the risk of illness spreading quickly among colleagues. Fortunately, there are proactive steps both employees and employers can take to maintain a healthy work environment. Here are ten effective tips to help keep your workplace healthy this fall.

1. Get Vaccinated Encourage your team to get the flu shot early in the season. Some organizations even offer on-site vaccination clinics to make it convenient. According to the CDC, flu vaccines can significantly reduce illness and related hospitalizations, helping keep your workforce strong.

2. Practice Good Hand Hygiene Handwashing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to stop the spread of germs. Provide handwashing reminders in restrooms and place hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol in common areas such as breakrooms, conference rooms, and near elevators.

3. Disinfect Shared Surfaces Workplaces are full of high-touch areas—door handles, elevator buttons, light switches, keyboards, and shared equipment. Regularly disinfecting these surfaces can reduce the transmission of viruses by over 80%. Consider creating a cleaning schedule or working with your facility team to ensure consistency.

4. Promote a Healthy Diet at Work Nutritious food fuels the immune system. Stock vending machines or breakroom snacks with healthier options like fruit, nuts, and yogurt instead of processed snacks. Hosting a wellness challenge that encourages employees to incorporate more fruits and vegetables can also boost engagement.

5. Encourage Hydration Place water stations or filtered water dispensers in convenient locations to make it easy for employees to stay hydrated. Hydration supports overall health and helps the immune system function properly, especially in dry office environments.

6. Support Quality Sleep While employers can’t control how much sleep employees get, they can promote work-life balance by avoiding late-night emails, reducing unnecessary overtime, and encouraging employees to disconnect after hours. Well-rested employees are less likely to get sick and more productive.

7. Limit Contact When Sick If an employee feels unwell, encourage them to stay home or work remotely if possible. Similarly, remind staff to maintain a bit of distance from colleagues who are ill. A culture that supports staying home when sick helps prevent widespread office outbreaks.

8. Manage Indoor Air Quality Dry indoor air can irritate the respiratory system and make it easier for viruses to spread. Using humidifiers, improving ventilation, and regularly servicing HVAC systems can create a healthier indoor environment. Aim for a humidity level of 30%–50%.

9. Promote Cough & Sneeze Etiquette Encourage employees to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or elbows, dispose of tissues immediately, and wash their hands afterward.

Posting gentle reminders in common areas can reinforce this habit across the workplace.

10. Keep Employees Informed Share updates on flu season trends, vaccination opportunities, and company wellness initiatives. Regular communication through newsletters, intranet posts, or staff meetings can help employees stay proactive about their health.

A Healthier Workplace This Fall

Fall can be one of the busiest times of the year for many organizations, making it especially important to keep employees healthy. By following these ten steps—combining strong hygiene practices, wellness support, and clear communication—you can reduce sick days, protect your team, and maintain productivity. A healthy workplace is not just good for employees—it’s good for business.