It’s that time again – flu season! And while the COVID-19 pandemic is still looming, business owners now have to be careful of the seasonal flu as well.
Not only do these illnesses pose threats to in-store customers, but also to the employees. And if your employees are sick, that will, in return, affect your business. Therefore, it is crucial for business owners to inform all employees about the dangers of the flu and perhaps motivate them to get a seasonal flu shot.
Here are 3 HUGE ways flu season impacts employees:
1. Health Risks
Health risks are the primary way the seasonal flu impacts employees. It may seem obvious, but it’s the truth. Side effects that come with the flu, such as body aches, chills, fever, and more, will all have a negative impact on an employee, which will also affect their work habits.
If an employee tries to work through their symptoms, they are not only increasing the risk of the spread, but they are also going to underperform. Your customers will take note of this service and may choose not to return.
2. Increased Time Off Requests
On average, American employees miss 111 million workdays a year because of the flu. American workers are already struggling financially, so it will be a devastating blow to households across the country if the primary breadwinner has to take off several days of work because they are sick with the flu.
Also, as the flu spreads, the chances of children catching it are high. With this being said, employees who are also parents will have increased time off requests because they will need to stay home to care for their children.
3. COVID-19 & The Flu
Having the flu is bad enough, but having both the flu and a variant of COVID-19 is even worse. With this being said, consider adding on a flu shot when receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or booster. This will help reduce the spread amongst employees in the workplace and personally protect you and your family as well.
Stay Informed
Like with any other illness, there is tons of misinformation regarding the flu being spread throughout the country. Because of this, your employees must stay informed of the facts and work together to fight against the seasonal flu.
To learn more about the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, how to become a member, and more, please visit our website. Click here for our contact page, give us a call at 410-484-2337, or email us at info@greaterbaltimorechamber.org. We look forward to connecting with you!