When flu season rolls around, there is a near constant fear of getting sick. Whether it’s from the germs that young children bring home with them from school or the sniffing coworker in the next office or cubicle, the flu is known for its contagious amplifying effect. And when it comes to work, the flu can mean big trouble for big business.
In a previous post, we cited the startling fact that, “each year in the U.S., the flu is responsible for 200 million days of diminished productivity and 75 million days of work absences.”
This is why so many companies provide flu clinics right in the office at the start of flu season. It offers a convenient place for employees to get their flu shots—often with no money spent out of pocket for those companies that coordinate with their employer-sponsored insurance.
But the usage rate among employees could be far better. According to one expert, fewer than half of employees take advantage of such programs. Linda Bradley offers some tips for boosting usage.
Communicate
Make sure your employees are aware of your flu clinic, what any related costs might be, and when and where they can get their shots. In addition, use communication to overcome any potential objections or misconceptions related to getting a flu shot. For instance, many still believe that getting the flu shot may cause them to get the flu; that’s not true.
Offer Incentives
Many companies provide light refreshments for employees after they get their shots, which can be a small incentive. But Bradley also suggests that employers might want to consider holding a contest to see which department or location can achieve the highest compliance rate.
Educate Managers
“Encourage managers and company leaders to get vaccinated early and to set an example for their direct reports,” says Bradley. After all, it’s managers who often suffer most when a big chunk of their staff is out with the flu—and they play an important and influential role with their staff.
Educate Employees
Despite it being such a common ailment, many people don’t know much about the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations provide a wealth of free information that can be used to help educate employees about just how nasty the flu can be—and how getting their flu shot can help to avoid it.
Work-sponsored flu shot clinics are a great way to help employees stay healthy during flu season to keep themselves and their colleagues in the office and productive. The key is knowing how to get them to take advantage of those clinics in the first place!