Month: January 2022

by: Josh Feinberg

5.0 from 1 votes The Covid-19 pandemic has created a new paradigm for workplace culture in the United States. Hybrid and remote working models are quickly beginning to take precedent, prompting employees to demand more flexible work arrangements. As employers discuss the return of in-person work, 43 percent of Americans have concerns about the health and safety of the workplace – with many threatening to leave their jobs if not addressed. Experts have labeled the current job market “The Great Resignation,” laying bare how greatly employees hold the power in today’s labor market. In August alone, 4.3 million Americans — nearly 3% of the nation’s workforce — quit their jobs, giving workers tremendous leverage as they look for other opportunities and reevaluate their priorities amid the pandemic. This shift is not without a reason. The coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted mental health and increased worker anxiety across the country. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, U.S. workers are some of the most stressed employees in the world. Some 57 percent of U.S. and Canadian workers — whose surveyed data was combined — report feeling stressed daily, up by eight percent from the previous year.

Click here for full article.

CleanLink

To little surprise considering the contagious nature of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the virus had little trouble spreading across the country as holiday gatherings ensued. In the weeks that have since followed, the next hurdle after holiday plans being altered is the safety of office spaces and related facilities as employees have returned to work. 

Due to reported outbreaks in every imaginable facility sector, businesses have been required to either postpone or limit in-person requirements for employees — at least for the time being. Once the spike in cases subsides and a return to the office is again on the table for many, it’s important to ease the apprehension of those impacted. 

Top Occupant Preferences

As reported in an article from Inc., a fall survey from the Cleaning Coalition of America (CCA) showed the vast majority of respondents want offices to be cleaned at least once per day (77 percent). In particular, disinfecting topped the list for particular cleaning tasks, followed by access to hand sanitizer, improving COVID-19 protocol messaging, and providing signage in appropriate areas. 

Eradicating The Virus

While highly contagious, the silver lining of the COVID-19 virus is its envelope nature, meaning its structure is easy to kill with the correct disinfectant. For clarification on selecting the right products, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers guidance through their List-N, which details disinfectants proven to COVID-19 while keeping occupants safe. 

The virus can land on surfaces and infect people through touchpoint contact, but the risk is considerably lower compared to direct droplet exposure from an infected person. In areas where no suspected or confirmed infected occupants resided, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a one-time daily clean is sufficient. The CDC also emphasized areas that lack handwashing/sanitizer stations, or are poorly ventilated, as targets for daily or multi-frequency cleans.

For additional re-opening advice, check out this guide from the CCA.