The scientists apparently swabbed 409 people at bus and train stations in five cities in England and Wales and found faecal bacteria on a quarter of all those tested, suggesting that many had not washed their hands properly after going to the toilet. Some of them of course may have picked up the bacteria from holding handrails on buses and trains.

North-south divide
The further north the researchers went, the more likely people were to have faecal bacteria on their hands, with the dirtiest in the sample being men from Newcastle. I wonder how long it will be before this information works its way into a football chant from supporters of southern teams?

Luckily not all the findings perpetuate stereotypes. Manual workers, for example, were less likely to have faecal bacteria on their hands than professionals.

IRS research (subscription required) has suggested that the single most effective management tool for reducing sickness absence is the return-to-work interview. But in the light of the London School's research, I wonder whether simply encouraging employees to wash their hands thoroughly every day as soon as they arrive at work - and as soon as they get home - would be even more effective. Do you know how many days are lost in your organisation from tummy bugs and related disorders?