Presenteeism can be more costly to a business than an absent employee. Aside from the increased time the affected employee is less than fully engaged, the spread of the illness to coworkers multiplies the cost. This is especially the case when the next person down the line also brings their germs to work with them. The migration of a cold or flu around an office can have lingering effects for months.

According to a Cornell University study (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2004), presenteeism cost American businesses over $180 billion last year. While there are many ways to keep employees healthy and ill employees home until they are well, the most cost effective method is to isolate the illness from other employees.

Basic cleanliness should be observed in every office, but might not be enough to combat every illness that comes along. Special areas of concern are the break area, restrooms, and shared office equipment. While the break room and restrooms certainly receive regular attention, what about the office copier? Just about everybody in the office will have an opportunity to touch the keys, but whose job is it to disinfect them? The same holds true for common computers and fax machines, doorknobs and security devices.

A regular, comprehensive cleaning can stop germs and viruses from spreading throughout your office, saving your company time and money.

Scott Lifer is the office manager and marketing director of No Worries Cleaning. He can be reached at (610) 295-9227 or by email at scott@NoWorriesCleaning.com.