Office disinfection: reduce absenteeism during flu season

Every fall, the same story: one employee catches a cold, then two, then the whole floor. Absences pile up and productivity drops. The good news? A lot of it happens on surfaces. Regular office disinfection is one of the simplest ways to reduce the spread of viruses at work.

Why disinfection reduces absences

Cold and flu viruses survive for hours on contact points: handles, keyboards, elevator buttons, taps, coffee machines. A sick employee contaminates these surfaces, a colleague touches them… and the chain continues. Disinfecting these contact points breaks the transmission chain.

Critical areas to disinfect

• Door handles and switches — touched by everyone.
• Break room and kitchen: microwave, fridge, coffee machine, counters.
• Washrooms: taps, flushes, dispensers.
• Shared stations: phones, printers, meeting rooms.
• Reception and elevator buttons — high traffic.

How often during flu season?

From September to March, we recommend increasing the frequency of contact-point disinfection — daily for high-traffic offices. A good provider adjusts the schedule to the season, then returns to normal afterward. It's a small investment compared to the cost of absences.

Disinfecting ≠ ordinary cleaning

Cleaning removes dirt; disinfecting kills germs. Both are needed. Complete commercial maintenance combines regular cleaning (floors, dust, bins) with targeted disinfection of contact points, using safe products.

Y CLEAN protects your teams

Our insured, vetted teams build contact-point disinfection into your maintenance contract, at a frequency tailored to the season. Fewer absences, a healthier team, a calmer office. Request a free quote.

Frequently asked questions

Does office disinfection really reduce absences?

Yes: cold and flu viruses spread heavily via surfaces (handles, keyboards…). Regularly disinfecting contact points breaks the transmission chain and helps reduce absences.

How often should you disinfect during flu season?

From September to March, increase the frequency — ideally daily for contact points in high-traffic offices.

What's the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

Cleaning removes visible dirt; disinfecting eliminates germs. Good commercial maintenance combines both.