As flu season rolls around every year, workers and employers are well aware of the negative impacts on productivity that result if the illness spreads in their workplaces.  Workers are likewise aware that the flu is contagious and the virus can live up to three days on a surface.  Despite this awareness, 53% of workers surveyed in Staples' sixth annual flu season survey reported that they have gone to work with the flu.  What accounts for this disconnect?

 

The survey suggests that 58% of employees come to work sick because they feel like they have too much going to take a sick day.  Half of them feel pressured to be at work and "tough it out," and 25% don't feel confident that someone else can do their work in their absence.  In reality, however, the cost of presenteeism ? showing up at work without being productive ? is higher than flu-related absences, according to 66% of survey respondents.

 

This data suggests that preparation for this year's flu season should move beyond education on standard flu prevention strategies (i.e., washing hands, eating well), and also focus on management's preference that employees take time away from work to recover if they become ill.  Source:  Staples