16/6/2026
Morning everyone,
Today’s workplace topic is winter illness, hygiene, and managing sickness in the workplace.
At this time of year, colds, flus, coughs, and gastro spread very quickly through retail teams because we work closely together, share equipment, and interact with customers all day.
The goal isn’t to panic every time someone sneezes — it’s about reducing unnecessary spread through the team and keeping the workplace healthy.
A few reminders:
• Wash hands regularly throughout the day
• Cover coughs and sneezes properly
• Dispose of tissues immediately
• Wipe down shared equipment and surfaces where needed
• Keep bathrooms and kitchen areas clean and hygienic
• Communicate early with management if you are sick and unable to attend work
Please also remember:
• Gastro symptoms require at least 24 hours symptom-free before returning to work
• If you have no sick leave available, or you call in sick on a Friday, weekend, or Monday, you may be asked to provide a medical certificate
• Failure to obtain a medical certificate when requested may result in disciplinary action
At the same time, we also understand people may occasionally wake up mildly unwell and not know whether it’s serious yet — so communication is important.
Example:
If you have vomiting, fever, or are unable to work properly, it’s usually better to notify management early rather than struggling through a shift and potentially spreading illness to the rest of the team.
Task/discussion:
What things do we currently do around the store to help reduce sickness spreading?
Examples may include:
• Using Glen 20
• Wiping down shared surfaces daily
• Keeping bathrooms and the kitchen clean
• Cleaning shared equipment and counters
Is there anything else we should be doing during winter?