'Reservoir for germs' | Why HR should prioritise phone hygiene

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently relaxed lockdown measures even further in England and announced that specific businesses – such as pubs and hairdressers – can reopen from July 4, 2020. This means that more employees will be going back to work, particularly if they are unable to do their job remotely.  

With that in mind, a university professor has warned that smartphone hygiene should be a key consideration for employers when drawing up back-to-work plans.

Dr Simon Clarke, Associate Professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading, has warned that all smartphone storage and usage should be considered to ensure health and safety in the workplace.

Speaking to UK Tech News, Dr Clarke called upon all businesses to think seriously about combatting the issue of cleanliness with regards to mobile phone usage, and to prevent the spread of germs.