Personal Protective Equipment: What to Expect in 2021
If you’re thinking about making the transition back to the office, you may be interested in providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees. Although the vaccination effort is ramping up, personal protective equipment will play an important role in reducing the spread of disease well into the future. Need inspiration on what to offer in the workplace? Here, we share a few PPE supplies that will make the workplace safer:
Why is PPE Still Necessary?
Even though COVID-19 cases are slowing, the CDC still recommends the use of personal protective equipment outside of the home (even if you’re partially or fully vaccinated). PPE is still recommended in public settings because COVID-19 and other diseases are spread more easily indoors, and especially in crowded spaces. If you’re working on transitioning your employees back to an in-person environment, it’s wise to require and provide PPE to ensure that the workplace stays as safe as possible.
PPE to Provide
When you require employees or visitors to use PPE, it’s helpful to keep supplies on hand in case someone forgets to bring items from home. Here’s what you may choose to stock in the office in case extras are needed:
- Face masks. Wearing a face covering over the nose and mouth has been proven to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets, which is how COVID-19 is transmitted. Face masks protect both the wearer and those around them, so it’s best if everyone in the building wears one. Keeping spare face masks on hand will ensure that everyone who enters the premises has the opportunity to be protected.
- Hand sanitizer and wipes. Frequently-touched items often harbor germs by the thousands, so be sure to provide plenty of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes in the office. If possible, order enough hand sanitizer for every work station and store wipes in multiple spaces throughout the building.
- Disinfectant sprays. For public areas, shared surfaces, break rooms and more, sprays that clean and disinfect provide added safety and peace of mind. According to the CDC, it is very important to regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces in order to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases, and we have a wide selection of products listed on the EPA's list of approved COVID-19 disinfectants.
- Physical distancing signage. Even as more people are vaccinated, physical distancing will still be important. Habits such as gathering in close quarters can be hard to change, so signage encouraging social distancing may be helpful.
- Dividers and sneeze guards. Investing in dividers and sneeze guards is an excellent option. These physical barriers provide a layer of protection that work in conjunction with masks to safeguard against airborne droplets.
Personal protective equipment will remain a vital component of public safety through 2021 and possibly beyond. When you’re ready to take steps to mitigate the spread of contagious diseases in the workplace, our team is here to help. We offer everything you need for your modern office, from numerous types of PPE to technology solutions (and much more). To learn more about how we can help improve the office experience, please contact us for a consultation.
Calendar Tips for a Productive Workweek
Whether you’re making the transition into a full-time remote position or working in a traditional office environment, you may be interested in finding office calendar tips to boost your productivity. Managing your calendar efficiently is a key component in working remotely effectively, and here, we share our favorite tips for scheduling management:
Plan Your Week on Sunday
Do you suffer from the “Sunday Scaries”? If so, you’re not alone. LinkedIn reports that 80% of working American adults experience work-related anxiety that begins on the eve of the upcoming workweek. To help combat feelings of anxiety, considering making a roadmap of your upcoming week on Sunday (or any time during the weekend). Setting aside just a few minutes to review your schedule and prioritize tasks may help you feel prepared and ready to tackle the new week.
Review Your Agenda Daily
If you’re a Google Calendar user, you may find it helpful to have your agenda sent to you daily. To start utilizing this feature, simply log into Calendar and navigate to “Settings.” From there, choose the “Settings for my calendar” option, select your name, and choose “Event notifications.” Click “Other notifications,” then select “daily agenda.” Then, choose “email” from the drop-down menu. Enabling this feature will allow your agenda to be sent directly to your inbox for easy review.
Try the 52/17 Rule
A study has found that many of the most productive people put in 52 minutes of productive work, followed by 17 minutes of a break. When planning your day, consider trying this tip and see how it affects your productivity and mood. You may find that after an intensive 52 minutes of working, a 17-minute break is the ideal amount of time to rest and recharge your brain for the next sprint.
Limit Your Tasks
As you plan out your week, it may be tempting to create ambitious to-do lists of everything you’d like to accomplish. As a result, you may fall short on your goals and end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed. To avoid this and set yourself up for success, consider focusing on no more than 3-5 important tasks each day, organized by priority. Structuring your day this way may help you use your time more efficiently and get the most crucial duties accomplished.
Carefully managing your calendar is one of the best things you can do to stay organized and boost your productivity. Following the tips shared here may prove beneficial in working remotely effectively or in the office. When you’re in need of office supplies or technology solutions to support your workflow, our team can help. We offer a wide array of office-related products and services, so please contact us to learn more about how we can improve your work experience.
Our Favorite Women-Owned Office Products Brands
Looking for ways to support women-owned businesses? When you’re in need of office supplies, you may be interested in shopping brands that are owned by women. Many of the brands featured in our EON catalog are women-owned (and our business is certified women-owned as well!). Here, we highlight a few of our favorite options to choose from:
Smead
Smead offers multiple benefits, as this popular brand is women-owned and made in the USA. Smead specializes in producing organizational products and accessories such as display boards. Smead also owns U Brands, a company that produces office supplies with a creative twist.
GOJO
GOJO, the maker of Purell hand sanitizer, was founded by a husband and wife team and is now a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Hand sanitizer is a must these days, and Purell has long been recognized as one of the best options on the market. The Purell line includes a host of products that are considered the gold standard for keeping your office, home, or retail setting safe.
Baumgartens
If you’d like to support family businesses that are women-owned, Baumgartens satisfies both of these criteria. This office supply company owns a host of brands that are useful in both home and office settings, from Plastiklips rust-free clips and beyond. Baumgartens is also an eco-friendly company and recently announced the goal of screening 100% of their products for harmful toxins and heavy metals.
Stride
Stride, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is a women-owned family business with an incredible story. This office supply company is recognized nationally for its employment of adults with special needs, a mission inspired by the founder’s son, who died of hydrocephalus. Stride makes a variety of office and school supplies, from writing instruments to binders and beyond.
Flagship Carpets
When you’re in need of fun, colorful rugs for your school or office, Flagship Carpets has just what you’re looking for. This woman-owned small business designs functional, eye-catching rugs that are stain-resistant and durable to stand up to even the most high-traffic areas. This family-operated business is based in Georgia and uses cutting-edge technology to create products you’ll love for years to come.
Women-owned businesses play an important role in our economy, as these businesses generate more than $1.7 trillion in sales each year. As a woman-owned business, certified by WBENC, we’re proud that the EON catalog features many brands that are owned and operated by women. If you’re ready to stock your office with the best supplies available, our team is here to connect you with the products you need to succeed. We offer a plethora of office solutions, and we’d love to speak with you about how we can help. To learn more about what we offer, please contact us today.
Our Favorite Grab and Go Snacks for Work
If your workplace is welcoming employees back to the office soon, you may be interested in providing tasty and nutritious snacks in the breakroom. A well-stocked breakroom is a small gesture of appreciation for team members and will help ensure that each person in the office has access to healthy food. On the search for the best breakroom office supplies that employees are sure to love? Here, we share our favorite grab and go work snacks to keep in the kitchen or a community space:
String Cheese
String cheese is a convenient work snack option to offer in the breakroom for a quick snack. This food packs a nutritional punch and is a good source of protein and calcium. Most varieties of string cheese are low in calories and carbohydrates, so it’s a versatile choice for many dietary needs.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are often available in individual packages, making them an easy grab and go choice for work snacks. Dried fruits such as mango, apple, pear, and banana are high in fiber and antioxidants and are a great topping for yogurt or oatmeal. If you’re looking for more substantial snack ideas, consider offering packets of oatmeal or cups of Greek yogurt along with dried fruits.
Protein Shakes
Protein shakes are perfect for stashing in the breakroom fridge for employees to enjoy any time of day. Available in a wide array of flavors, protein shakes make it easy to add more protein and vitamins into your diet. Pre-made protein shakes can be made with dairy-based and plant-based ingredients, so it’s possible to suit virtually any lifestyle with this snack.
Air-Popped Popcorn
When you’re looking for healthy snacks for the office that are individually wrapped, don’t overlook air-popped popcorn. This food is low in calories and is gluten-free and fat-free, making it a good choice for many individuals. Additionally, air-popped popcorn is available in many seasonings (or you can stock up on plain popcorn and keep seasonings on hand).
Low Carb Nuts
Nuts are a popular snack due to their crunchiness and versatility as a snack, topping, or side. When stocking the breakroom, opt for nuts that are low in carbs and sodium. Macadamias, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts are great choices to offer. Since they’re high in fiber and healthy fats, nuts will help your employees feel satiated between meals.
When your goal is to create a company culture that employees look forward to being part of, showing your appreciation is crucial. Providing high-quality snacks is a gesture that most team members will enjoy and take part in on a regular basis. If you’re on the search for breakroom office supplies to enhance the workplace, we can help you order exactly what you need. We provide everything you’ll need to keep your office operating smoothly, from snacks to technology solutions and beyond. To learn more about how we can help, please contact us.
The Benefits of a Tidy Desk
Whether you’re working from home or commuting to the office, you’ve probably noticed that a cluttered desk may induce stress or impede your workflow. If you’re thinking about ordering new office supplies online, be sure to include desk organization products on your list. The impact of a tidy desk can lead to significant benefits for your state of mind and productivity, which we outline below:
Cut Down on Procrastination
Even if you’re adept at finding what you need in a less-than-organized workspace, science shows that our brains prefer a clutter-free environment. This report indicates that clutter is strongly linked to procrastination and suggests that too much “stuff” may lead to negative feelings. When you have a few minutes to spare, consider paring down to the essentials and then investing in storage solutions to organize and minimize what’s on your desk.
Reduce Stress
Stress and procrastination at work often go hand in hand. If you arrive to work and immediately find yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed, reorganizing your workspace may be a great first step to try. Once your desk is in order, you may find that you feel calmer and ready to tackle tasks as soon as they arise.
Enhance Cleanliness
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of us to become more mindful of health and cleanliness. Even if you’re working remotely, frequently-touched office supplies and devices can harbor an astounding number of germs. To promote a clean and hygienic environment, be sure to dedicate a few minutes each day to tidying up your space. A quick wipe down of your desk and keyboard at the end of each workday will help you ensure that you’re reducing your exposure to viruses and bacteria.
Create Strong Impressions
If you’re working in a traditional office environment, your work area is a visual representation of your pride in your work. A cluttered, disorganized desk will send a negative message to co-workers and others who pass by, so it’s well worth the effort to keep your space tidied up. Keeping a clean desk is especially important if you meet with clients, as they’ll form first impressions as soon as they enter your office.
A clean, organized work environment often plays a significant role in your productivity and mood. If you’re interested in discovering the impact of a tidy desk firsthand, you may need organizational supplies to get the job done. Our EON team is here to help you find the supplies and solutions you need to succeed, and we’re happy to assist you in ordering office supplies online from our expansive collection. To learn more about what we offer, please contact our team.
The Dangers of Digital Fatigue and How to Avoid it
Digital fatigue is said to be a state of mental exhaustion and disengagement. This occurs among people who are required to use different digital devices simultaneously or use them for multiple uninterrupted hours per day. This condition is relevant to many employees today as they work from home due to the pandemic.
Breaking away from devices can be more difficult while quarantining due to limited social and entertainment options. Between smartphones, computers, televisions, tablets, etc., you are likely using them for the majority of the day. In fact, a 2019 study stated that the average American picked up their phone 96 times per day, which undoubtedly increased in 2020.
It’s no wonder why we may be suffering from digital fatigue! If you’re experiencing related symptoms, it may be time for a digital detox. Fortunately, there are many work-from-home strategies that can help you limit screen time. It may be difficult initially because it has become an addictive habit to many and is unavoidable during business hours, but you can beat this condition with a few simple tips.
Use Your Resources
There are many resources you can use to limit the blue light exposure from digital screens. These resources can help you when engaging with a screen is unavoidable.
Digital screens produce digital blue light, which is a color on the visible spectrum. Each color of light on the this spectrum produces varying concentrations of energy and wavelengths. Digital blue light has a high concentration of energy and short wavelengths, which makes it more stimulating to the eyes than its counterparts.
Night Shift
Night Shift is an Apple display setting that you can adjust to limit the amount of blue light that is emitted through your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook screen. The “warmer” the color setting, the less blue light it emits, while the “cooler” the color setting, the more it emits. You can set Night Shift to adjust automatically, or you can adjust it manually based on your personal needs.
Blue Light Glasses
A more recent development in the attempt to limit digital fatigue is using blue light blocking glasses. These glasses have a specific lens that helps filter out the blue light that is emitted from screens.
By wearing a pair of blue light glasses you will be proactively reducing eye strain, enhancing focus, and ultimately increasing productivity throughout your workday. It's suggested that you wear these glasses when engaging with any digital device for a long period of time, and especially before bed. This is because blue light can also negatively affect sleep patterns as it's a high-energy stimulant that increases alertness and decreases the natural development of melatonin, which helps you fall asleep.
Natural Light
There is a difference between natural blue light, which is produced through sunlight, and digital blue light. Natural blue light regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle and provides increased alertness and cognitive function during the day.
Although digital blue light is similar to natural blue light, digital screens are used in closer range, very frequently, and after sundown, which can adversely confuse the senses and damage eyesight.
When you’re using your digital devices, be sure you're in a well-lit room, preferably with natural lighting. Doing so keeps you from straining your eyes and confusing your senses. When you're using electronics after sundown, make sure the room is still well lit and use your other resources, like Night Shift and your blue light glasses, to limit your exposure.
Ergonomic Furniture
Fiinally, employers should consider supplying employees with ergonomic office products and furniture to help them beat the effects of digital fatigue and employee burnout. Ergonomic office supplies, like a monitor arm or an adjustable desk riser, can help employees maintain healthy posture and proper distancing from their screens. Ergonomic desk chairs can also benefit remote employees as they align the shoulders, hips, and spine, in order to reduce abnormal strain on the back and prevent harmful positions such as slouching and forward-leaning that push employees closer to their screens.
Avoid Multitasking
It's common to think that you can use a short opportunity to complete more tasks in less time, but research has proven that multi-tasking actually cuts into successful performance.
Focus on One Task at a Time
Many employees tend to bounce around from tab to tab trying to accomplish more at once, and that can lead to further fatigue. Studies have found that switching between tasks can cost you as much as 40 percent of your productivity and decrease your memory function. If possible, focus on one task at a time and complete it efficiently before moving on to the next.
Focus on One Device at a Time
Similarly, employees are also commonly known to switch from device-to-device when trying to complete a task. Most employees use multiple screens and check their smartphones or tablets throughout the day during working hours. This habit can cause severe over-stimulation and burnout very quickly. It's healthier to use one device at a time, if possible, and take breaks in between.
Break Up Your Day
Right now, many employees are working from home to abide by social distancing rules. Unfortunately, working remotely can be quite draining as you’re living and working in the same space and from a more isolated environment that you may not be used to or as comfortable in as the office.
Take a Digital Break During Lunch
During this time, lunch breaks are different. If you’re working from home, you're likely watching TV or using your smartphone during your breaks as a source of entertainment, instead of going out for lunch or conversing with co-workers.
Instead, consider your lunch break a good time for a mid-day digital detox. If you give your eyes and mind a strict 30-minute reprieve from screens during your lunch break, it will give you time to reset before the second half of your day, which can help with productivity. Try going for a walk or closing your eyes for a quick meditation session to refocus.
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that helps people focus and take frequent breaks. To properly use this method, you will:
- Break your workday into 25-minute increments, separated by 5-minute breaks.
- Once you have worked for 25-minutes, you will take a 5-minute break.
- After a few rounds of the technique, you should take one longer break of about 15-minutes.
- To make the process as seamless as possible, use a custom study timer to schedule your 25-minute increments and short or long breaks.
The purpose of this exercise is to create a sense of urgency in your workday that will encourage you to complete your tasks more quickly and take breaks more often. During these breaks, you should rest your eyes and avoid looking at other devices that could cause digital fatigue. This is a great strategy for working from home because it's easier to lose focus in a comfortable setting or forget to leave your computer as often as you should, due to meetings and fear of being inactive online.
Digital devices are all around us and there is absolutely no escaping them during this time. You can, however, use these simple work-from-home strategies to avoid their negative effects and purely focus on the positive ones. Now more than ever, with limited social calendars and remote work, you are at risk of overexposure and the crippling effects of digital fatigue that soon follows. Don't let it slow you down—work with your technology, not against it.