Coughing, sniffling, and fevers can be a common occurrence in the workplace when flu season strikes in Canada. There’s no reason to worry though because you can protect yourself and your employees with a few simple tips:
Here are 5 effective ways to combat the flu in the workplace.
1. Make Getting Off-Site Flu Shots Easier
Preventing flu and its effect on the workplace can easily be managed with something as simple as a flu shot. Vaccination is actually on top of the list when it comes to stopping flu in its tracks, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Ensure that your company’s health plans cover flu vaccinations for employees. There may be free flu shots being offered by various clinics in your community, but it still pays to provide this coverage to your employees. Give the information your employees need as to where and when they can have flu shots in your community. Provide them with a list of clinics, driving or commuting directions, and whatever information they may need so they can schedule a visit during their free time.
Be flexible enough to allow some time for your employees to have their flu shots even while at the office. Sure, you’ll be sacrificing a little time, but you’ll be quite thankful you did if the flu virus strikes and everyone else is complaining about employees not being able to work or productivity levels going downhill.
2. Schedule an On-Site Flu Vaccination Day for Employees
Unfortunately, most employees get too caught up with work and other things that they simply can’t find the time for a flu shot, so why not bring the flu shot to them?
Make getting a flu shot more convenient for people in your office by hosting a flu vaccination day. There are various organizations you can get in touch with that will gladly set up an on-site vaccination clinic on your company’s premises so that your employees have one less thing to worry about. Contact community vaccinators or local pharmacies and check if they can administer the shots once you have scheduled the date.
3. Promote Basic Hygiene in the Workplace
Something as simple as practicing basic hygiene helps in preventing the flu virus from spreading in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has some tips regarding preventing sickness from spreading in the office. It would do a lot of good if you make it a point to post these on company bulletin boards or send a list to employees via email:
- Keep hands clean by washing them with soap as often as possible.
- Avoid unnecessary touching of eyes, nose, or mouth.
- When sneezing or coughing, cover the mouth and nose areas with tissue.
- When using a tissue, make sure to throw it immediately after use.
- Wash or sanitize hands each time you sneeze, cough, or blowing your nose.
- Minimize contact or hand-shaking with coworkers when the flu virus strikes.
- Avoid sharing equipment (headsets, phones, etc.) between coworkers.
4. Keep Flu Out the Door, Literally
Keeping the flu virus out is easier than dealing with it when it starts to spread in the office. When one of your employees has the flu, encourage him or her to work from home or to utilize allocated sick days.
It’s much better to have a single employee miss work for a couple of days rather than have many of them missing for a week or two.If missing work is definitely out of the question for an employee, ensure that he or she avoids too much contact with coworkers and does not linger in high-traffic areas of the office.
5. Keep the Office Well-Stocked
When the flu virus hits, make it a point to stock up on the necessary supplies that can help your employees protect themselves. A good example is to place hand sanitizers in areas where there is high contact among coworkers. Having hand sanitizers where employees have easy access to can make a difference in maintaining basic hygiene.
About 5–20% of people in the Canada become sick with the flu annually, but your employees don't have to become part of this number. Take the necessary steps and ensure that your employees stay healthy and productive this winter.
Avi is a Payroll Product Manager at Humi. When he's not reading up on payroll news, you'll find him at the gym taking on the next fitness challenge.
