- Flu Prevention
Top 5 Ways Companies Can Help Prevent Flu and Protect Workers
The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is well under way and businesses are considering when and how to safely bring people back to the workplace. As we move into this next phase of living with COVID-19, companies must also consider the next flu season, and the role they play in keeping employees protected from the flu.
Unvaccinated employees can pose a risk to business. First, the flu is highly contagious and can spread quickly to others in a work setting. Second, sick days impede productivity and can hamper revenue. It is estimated that a “normal” flu season, on average, costs employers $14.9 billion in lost productivity in a year .
The best way to prevent the flu is annual vaccination. According to a recent survey, 78% of respondents say businesses have a responsibility to ensure employees are protected from COVID-19 in the workplace. We believe they have the same responsibility for protecting their employees against the flu.
As the 2020-’21 flu season winds down, now is the time for employers to build out a preparedness plan for the next season. Ideas to consider include:
- Partner with Families Fighting Flu on employee education campaigns.
- Offer free, on-site flu vaccination clinics.
- Provide vaccination incentives (monetary, gift cards, vacation hours, etc.).
- Continue to encourage the use of masks, promote good hand hygiene, and social distancing when possible.
- Encourage the use of sick time or remote working when employees are ill – after all, it’s not “just the flu.”
We all play a role in keeping our communities and our families healthy and we can all be flu fighters!