With the Flu season being in full swing, keeping it and other nasty illnesses out of the office can be a major challenge. According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund, an estimated 55 million U.S. employees miss work annually due to an illness with a an estimated economic value loss of $260 billion dollars. Ever wonder how the flu actually gets into your body? Here’s a great video from NPR: So what can you do to keep the flu out of the office? Let’s break it down by steps an employer can take and steps employees can take: Employer #1 – Have a clear policy about sickness and how it should be handled by employees. Encourage sick employees to leave the workplace without concerns of lost wages. Would you rather have a single employee out for 5-7 days or a flu outbreak that hits 40% of the office? #2 – Consider offering free flu vaccinations onsite as it’s the single best way to prevent the flu. #3 – Make sure that the bathroom or restroom area is cle ...
