The office flu – what causes it and how to avoid it

By Heather Nezich, courtesy SBAM Approved Partner ASE

Every year, workplaces throughout the U.S. become incubators for the flu virus, with employees and employers likely fueling the flames, according to a new survey from Staples Business Advantage.  More than two in five employed adults (44%) reported contracting the flu last year, and 45% of those respondents blamed their colleagues – yet many workers and employers are failing to take proactive steps to prevent the disease’s spread.

Where Employees Fall Short
Though the CDC reports that individuals with the flu can be infectious one day before symptoms show and up to a week after becoming sick – and that they’re most contagious three to four days after becoming ill – employees who had the flu last year took an average of just 2.7 sick days. This means many returned to work when they were at peak contagiousness. More than half of respondents who had the flu last year (53%) said they came back to work before they felt better.

Respondents also avoid one of the most important steps they can take to keep themselves and their coworkers healthy: a minority of workers (47%) report that they typically get the flu vaccine.

“The flu shot is the best and first step everyone should take to stay healthy each year. But taking a sick day when you’re feeling unwell – even if you think it’s just the common cold – is also an extremely effective way to stop the flu from spreading throughout the office,” said Riley Doherty, facilities health and safety expert and Area Vice President with Staples Business Advantage. “Measures like hand sanitizer and disinfecting products can help contain an outbreak, as there are so many surfaces that serve as vectors for the virus – such as refrigerator handles and doorknobs – that everyone touches multiple times a day. So, do your coworkers a solid: get vaccinated early, consistently clean and disinfect your workspace, and stay home when you’re sick.”
 
Where Employers Fall Short
Employers could be doing more to foster a healthier workplace and curb the flu, as well. When asked what their workplaces do to combat the flu, respondents shared that:

“Many employers have come to recognize the importance of workplace wellness, and well over half of the respondents in our survey say their employers offer a dedicated program,” added Chris DeMeo, workplace guru and Vice President, Staples Business Advantage. “But clearly blind spots remain in terms of what we mean by wellness. Gym reimbursement and healthy snacks are trendy, but employers need to cover the basics, too. Simple cleaning services, education around healthful habits, and annual health assessments as part of a benefits program can go a long way towards avoiding the lost productivity caused by a flu outbreak in the fall and can help build healthier employees year-round – which means a more engaged workforce and lower health insurance costs for the employer.”

In addition, managers should not make employees feel guilty when rightfully utilizing sick time.

Baby Boomers and Women are the Most Proactive
Baby Boomers are the most aggressive when it comes to flu prevention. Compared to Millennial and Gen X peers, Baby Boomers had the lowest rate of returning to work before they felt better after having the flu (42%), and 59% say they regularly get the flu vaccine. Their proactivity has paid off, with less than a third reporting they caught the flu last year.

Women, in general, tend to be more proactive about protecting their own health. When asked which steps they personally take to avoid the flu both in and out of work, women appear to take the task more seriously:

49% of respondents say they are about as concerned about the flu this year as they were last year, which was an unusually aggressive flu season. 

“Flu can be a serious illness for even healthy people,” said Judith Monroe, MD, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation. “Fortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyday preventive actions to fight flu this season, including getting a flu shot, practicing good hand hygiene and staying home when you are sick.” Talk to your employees about the proper ways to avoid the flu, and don’t encourage presenteeism, which in the long run will result in increased absenteeism.