From absenteeism due to illness to the cost of disability and workers’ compensation, poor health costs the U.S. economy more than a half a trillion dollars a year, according to a 2012 study by The Integrated Benefits Institute, a nonprofit research organization. You can cut down on these costs by taking proactive steps to reduce the impact of these four office illnesses.
FLU
According to Walgreens' Flu Impact Survey, Americans missed 230 millions days of work during the 2012-2013 flu season alone. Employees missed, on average, three days of work in 2012-13, compared to an average of one day during the 2010-11 season. The loss in productivity is just one aspect of the impact influenza can have on a workplace. The CDC estimates that, on average, the flu costs employers and businesses approximately $10.4 billion dollars in direct costs for adult hospitalization and outpatient visits.
Fighting the flu in your office is easy -- just host an on-site flu clinic for your employees. The CDC recommends that people get a flu shot as soon as vaccine becomes available, typically in August. In fact, nearly one-third (31 percent) of the 2012-13 Flu Impact Survey respondents waited until November or later to get their vaccine, a likely reason for last year's expensive flu season.
FOODBORNE ILLNESSES
Infected restaurant employees were identified as a contributing factor in more than 65% of U.S. foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurants in a 2002–03 study. The pathogens that cause foodborne illness can be transmitted directly from an infected food employee through food to the consumer. Clearly, employee health and personal hygiene is critical in protecting both your customers and your business.
To help prevent foodborne illnesses from being spread from infected employees, train workers to understand what causes these outbreaks and what symptoms to look for. Don't let employees work when they are infected, and be sure they're aware of good handwashing techniques.
STREP THROAT/SORE THROAT
There are an estimated 6.7 million visits to primary care providers by adults who complain of sore throat each year in the United States. Strep throat, in particular, is highly contagious and develops within two to five days of contact with the respiratory tract secretions of an individual with Group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Infected individuals are advised to avoid close contact with others, so they shouldn't go into work until at least 24 hours after their first dose of antibiotics.
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS
The common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections are contagious and can spread from person to person by inhaling respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. The transmission can also happen by touching the nose or mouth with your hand or another object exposed to the virus. A lot of these illnesses can cause symptoms for one to two weeks, meaning employees may miss more than just one day of work. Again, proper hygiene, food handling and common sense can help to prevent the spread of this illness in your office.
Getting sick can be expensive for both the employer and employee. How do you prevent the spread of contagious diseases in your office? Comment below!