subject: Readying Your Workplace For The Flu Season [print this page] The flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease than can cause mild to severe illness. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, and there are certain groups of people that are more seriously affected by the flu than others. These groups include young children, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Influenza affects approximately 20 percent of all workers, and this translates into diminished productivity and lost profits for the company. The flu can be prevented, and companies need to take steps to ensure they are adequately protecting their employees from the influenza virus.
How to Protect Your Workplace -
According to some estimates, approximately 1 million working days are lost each year in Australia due to the flu. Since the flu can be prevented, employers should take steps to ensure their workplace is protected from the flu virus. Employers should encourage their employees to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough and sneeze. Employees should wash their hands often with warm water and soap, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoiding close contact with individuals that are sick will help keep the flu virus from spreading. Additionally, when employees are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, they should be encouraged to stay home for at least 24 hours. Employees that have the flu should limit their contact with co-workers.
Schedule a Workplace Vaccination Day -
The single most important step that employers should take to prevent flu in the workplace is scheduling a workplace vaccination day. By doing so, employers can ensure that the greatest number of employees as possible receive the influenza vaccine. When a workplace vaccination day is scheduled, employees have the opportunity to voluntarily receive the flu vaccine. Since the vaccination will be held at the workplace, employees do not have to take time off of work or try to find time in their hectic schedules to receive the flu vaccine. This provides convenience for employees and helps employers make certain the majority of their workers remain healthy throughout the flu season.
When employees are healthy and working at their most productive levels, the company and its owners reap a more handsome profit. Therefore, it is in the best interests of both the employees and the company to make certain to schedule a workplace vaccination day and garner as much participation and support from employees as possible. Taking the necessary steps to protect the workplace from the flu can help employers ensure the flu season does not put a damper on their bottom line.
