{"id":3847,"date":"2025-11-21T16:58:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T16:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bpfonline.co.uk\/blog\/?p=3847"},"modified":"2026-03-11T14:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T14:54:17","slug":"how-to-reduce-staff-sick-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bpfonline.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-reduce-staff-sick-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Reduce Staff Sick Days with Simple Workplace Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"

As temperatures drop, so does workplace productivity, not because of the weather, but because of seasonal illnesses like flu and colds. The NHS has already warned that the UK is likely to see a major flu outbreak this winter, echoing the challenges of recent years. For businesses, this doesn\u2019t just mean more sniffles; it means lost time, reduced efficiency, and higher costs. So how can employers reduce staff sick days? One of the simplest, most cost-effective steps is improving infection control in the workplace. From installing removable protective screens<\/a> to reinforcing good hygiene habits, a few small actions now can help prevent weeks of disruption later.<\/p>\n

The Cost of Winter Illness to Businesses<\/h2>\n

According to the Office for National Statistics, 148.9 million working days were lost to illness or injury in 2024. \u201cMinor illnesses\u201d \u2014 such as colds, coughs, and flu \u2014 were the most common cause of those absences.<\/p>\n

In fact, flu alone can cause individuals to miss an average of 2\u20133 working days per episode, and up to 75% of employees with flu or flu-like symptoms take time off work. Even after returning, it often takes several days for productivity to fully recover. For a team of just 20 employees, that can quickly translate into dozens of lost hours and significant business disruption.<\/p>\n

Why Infection Control Still Matters Post-COVID<\/h3>\n

While many workplaces have relaxed their Covid-era safety measures, the need for infection control hasn\u2019t gone away. Open-plan offices, shared workstations, and meeting rooms remain ideal environments for viruses to spread.<\/p>\n

Protective measures such as desk dividers and hygiene screens can make a real difference \u2014 especially during the winter months when ventilation tends to be reduced. Removable COVID-19 and flu protection screens help limit airborne droplets from coughs and sneezes, reducing the risk of transmission between employees.<\/p>\n

The Benefits of Removable Protective Screens<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking to balance safety with practicality, removable screens are a smart solution. Here\u2019s why businesses are investing in them again this winter:<\/p>\n