Every year thousands of people in the US become sick with various flu viruses. Employees who continue to work spread this virus affecting other employees and their families. Flu epidemics can cost employers lost productivity, increase sick days, and create absenteeism that could shut down a business. Here are some things to consider:
Each year, an average of 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu in the US every year; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications each year; and about 36,000 people die from the flu. (CDC, 2006).
US companies spend almost $8 billion in paid sick leave, which equals about 70 million missed workdays, according to global outsourcing firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas (as reported in Disability Law News, "Stay Home From Work?," January 2006)
So what can an employer do? Unfortunately, many companies think .... not much. According to a recent article by the Associated Press ("Few companies are prepared for a flu pandemic," December 21, 2005), a survey of some of the nation´s largest businesses found that two-thirds said their companies were inadequately prepared to protect themselves during a pandemic; 39% believe there wasn´t much they could do.
"There are, however, effective proactive measures companies can take against a flu epidemic," says Andi Yakovitz Manager of Account Services for Bensinger, DuPont & Associates, a Chicago-area based Employee Assistance Program. "The first step is to develop a Crisis Preparedness Plan for company disasters and make sure that the policy addresses a flu epidemic. New technologies have helped some companies to transfer services to other parts of the country that are not affected by the crisis or transfer calls to employees in temporary home offices."
Second, Yakopvitz recommends that employers encourage workers to get (or even provide for them) a flu vaccination --- which is the best way to prevent against the flu. The CDC announced that more flu vaccine doses will be available for the 2006 flu season than ever before.
Third, it is important for employees to communicate to all workers these suggestions from the CDC on protecting oneself against the flu:
- Avoid close contact with someone who is sick at work.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Bensinger DuPont & Associates is a privately owned professional services company that is dedicated to promoting healthy outcomes for employees, the workplace, individuals and their families through a wide range of consultation, training and counseling services.
For additional information, Andi Yakovitz can be reached at 1-800-227-8620.
Media Contact: Cindy Kazan
414.352.3535; ckazan[at]communik-pr.com