Flu breakouts affect schools, colleges and businesses in a big way. Dr. Mary Capelli-Schellpfeffer, medical director of Loyola University Health System Occupational Health Services offers advice to businesses on how to the influenza.
Flu breakouts has increased drastically. A person's health is not the only thing that is affected by a flu breakout. Businesses are also affected.
"An organization can be severely impacted by people coming to work when they're sick,"Dr. Capelli-Schellpfeffer said. "We know illness can spread from person to person causing entire work groups to be affected. But less obvious is how job performance, organization, productivity, creativity and financial stability can all be affected."
Dr. Capelli-Schellpfeffer provides advice on how such a crisis can be handled:
1. Educate Employees of company's sick leave policy
Many employees are not aware of the company's sick leave policies and tend to show up for work even when they are sick, which can result in other employees catching the flu. It's imperative that employers educate employees about their sick policy.
2. Be prepared to handle staffing problems
A flu breakout usually leads to the closing of playschools and daycares. Invariably, most parents would be required to stay at home to care for their children. Also, employers should be prepared to send back sick employees to prevent spreading of the infection. This will lead to a shortage of staff and the company should be prepared to handle such a situation.
3. Keep the office premises and work stations clean
Cleanliness and hygiene is a sure short way to keep infections away. Make sure that the office premises and work stations are cleaned regularly. Washrooms for employees should also be cleaned and maintained on regular bases by both the management and employees.
4. Have regular Illness prevention programs
Regular flu shots can be given to all employees. Workshops can be held to educate employees on how to stay healthy and avoid illnesses. Posters reminding people to wash their hands after coughing or sneezing, visiting the bathroom and before meals can be put up.
