Prevention, not cure | Bedbugs are taking over the tube, how should HR manage the threat in the office?

Headlines have been rife in recent weeks with the news of wide-scale outbreak of bedbugs across Paris, and with videos across social media showing reported sightings of the unpleasant creatures on the London tube network, it seems that such an outbreak could well be on the rise within the UK.

The news even prompted retort from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who was asked about the issue by Joe Politics at Labour Conference. Whilst his tone was reassuring, he did acknowledge that the spread of bedbugs was a concern.

“I want to reassure, TfL have one of the best regimes to clean our assets on a nightly basis and we’re speaking to our friends in Paris to see whether there are any lessons to be learned,” he said.

Obviously, as we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, it's crucial to maintain a safe and healthy environment for employees. Yet, while most HR professionals are well-versed in handling issues like discrimination, harassment, and safety concerns, handling a potential influx of bedbugs is likely largely an unknown for many.