The height of winter flu season is here, so it’s a good time to test your flu avoidance program’s chances for success.
Few businesss benchmark their flu programs, a study from the Disability Management Company Coalition finds. But those that do often discover room for improvement.
Nearly 80 percent of businesss provide staff access to flu shots, either onsite or at a local clinic. And 72 percent cover some or all of the cost (typically compensating between $10 to $20). But -
o At 89% of firms, fewer than half of personnel actually get a flu shot
o At 38 percent of businesses, fewer than 25 percent of staff members participate
o only 6 percent of firms can easily get at least 75 percent participation
o 87% of survey respondents said they never measure absenteeism during flu season, and
o 75% never tracked whether personnel who get flu shots are actually absent less often.
The firms that get best results are those that actively educate personnel, track flu-related absenteeism and send sick personnel home.