First, the bad news: flu season is here and may cost businesses $10.4 billion in direct costs*, according to CDC. It spreads quickly in the workplace and just ONE key employee infected with the flu could cost thousands of dollars in lost productivity.
Now, the good news: Currently, local flu activity in the NY-metro area is virtually non-existent, and there’s still plenty of inventory for those who have not had their vaccine, yet. Flu season is a great time for employers to show how much they care about their employees’ health. And a smart corporate wellness program can boost productivity during this potentially stagnant season, and can even help attract and retain talent.
Inevitably though, the flu WILL strike. According to Flufax.com, “In a typical year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the population gets seasonal flu. Flu-related deaths range from 3,000 to 48,600 (average 23,600).”
So, what can your firm do to soften the blow—and make the best—of flu season?
Communicate: Use every medium at your disposal to send out messages of good health. Emails, posters, meeting announcements and intranet messages are just some of the ways to get the word out to employees that their health is a priority.
Encourage healthy hygiene: Provide hand sanitizers, soap, disposable towels or air dryers to prevent the spread of germs. Encourage staff to sneeze and cough into their elbows, use water coolers instead of fountains and don’t shake hands!
Keep spaces clean: Provide office cleaning services, make disinfectant wipes and supplies available and be sure door knobs, hand rails, keyboards and surfaces are sanitized.
Provide flexibility: Crowded offices and mass transit are danger zones during flu season. If possible, suggest optional work arrangements and alternate means of transportation to avoid crowds.
Remind employees of sick policies: Many professionals come to work when they’re ill because they feel that their presence is mandatory and the thought of work piling up is too much to bear. Urge over-achievers to stay home at the first sign of symptoms. Tell them that it is against the company’s policy to come to work with certain ailments and be prepared to send sick employees home.
Set up workplace flu-shot clinic: If possible, to ensure that the majority of your employees get their vaccine, provide shots on site.
Taking corporate health and wellness planning a step further, companies should consider putting in a formal pandemic plan in place, should there be a serious contagious health event. Although the CDC offers great response planning tips, the majority of companies do not publish these guidelines for their employees.
Does your company have a wellness plan that addresses flu and pandemics? Why or why not? Please share your feedback with us in the comments below.