A sign of the times....

Notice any of these changes at your office?

1)       In a meeting, once one person pulls the sanitizer out of his or her pocket or purse, everyone else follows
2)       Anyone who sneezes has to explain that they just have a cold and nothing worse
3)       Fewer people extend their handshake during introductions
4)       Colleagues move away from coughing coworkers
5)       Colleagues keep their distance from coworkers who have sick family members
6)       Communal food (i.e.: dips, candy bowls) remain untouched
7)       People open door handles with their sleeves
8)       Coworkers walk the entire length of the office to return to their desk  to receive a call instead of using someone else’s phone
9)       All casual discussions seem to revolve around whether or not to get the H1N1 immunization
10)    The receptionist now has hand sanitizer on her desk instead of treats for everyone

These scenarios may or seem exaggerated, but they illustrate the main idea. Anthony Komaroff and Patrick Skerrett make a good point when they suggest managers “lead by example.”

Many of the recommended practices seem unnatural at first. For example, we feel we are being rude by not extending our hand during an introduction. Even if an organization sends out regular communication to employees to use proper sneeze etiquette, refrain from shaking hands and use other measures to reduce the spread of the flu, if the company’s leaders do not apply these measures themselves employees will most likely mirror this.

This outbreak--just like everything else--will pass. Until then, stay healthy.

References:

Komaroff, Anthony L. and Patrick J. Skerrett. "Managing H1N1 at Work." Harvard Business Review. [www. blogs.harvardbusiness.org]. September 28, 2009.