Retail Workers and Employers Bit by Flu Bug

It’s that time of year where everyone has settled down after holiday travels and visits with out of town guests. People hugging, laughing, kissing and dancing have passed around more than just presents and Christmas cheer. They’ve spread the flu too.

The first three months of the year are typically known as flu season and so far 2013 looks like it’s bringing with it the worst bout of flu in a decade. The reported cases in NY already more than triple the number that were treated by this time last year. Because of increased health care costs and extensive absenteeism, employers around the country are catching a glimpse of the financial impact the flu has on their business.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates America’s employers shell out an average of $10.4 billion directly for employees’ hospitalizations and outpatient visits. Not to mention the costs indirectly related to absenteeism and semi sick staff members. This is especially difficult for the already struggling retail field whose workers rank just below health care employees in those most likely to be hospitalized for the flu according to a recent CDC report.

The author writes, “[T]his information is needed for recognizing and responding to increased risks for infection among key occupational groups (e.g., health care workers, school teachers, retail and food service workers, and others with substantial exposure to the general public).”

Retail workers are exposed to a large section of the public and are often reluctant to call in sick no matter how horrible they feel. John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. notes, "The economy is still on shaky ground and many workers continue to be worried about losing their jobs…. In this environment, workers are reluctant to call in sick or even use vacation days. Of course, this has significant negative consequences for the workplace, where the sick worker is not only performing at a reduced capacity but also likely to infect others."

"While sick employees may think they are doing the right thing by 'toughing it out' and coming into work when ill, the fact is they are only making matters worse. Whether it is motivated by job security or a desire to continue making a contribution in an overburdened workplace, presenteeism, as it has come to be called, only spreads illness to more workers and further damages the employer's ability to meet demand," he added.

It is important for retailers to have a plan in place when the bug bites at their store. Challenger suggests, "Having an effective leave policy is critical in preventing an office-wide outbreak of the flu. You want to encourage workers to stay home when they are sick so they do not spread illness to co-workers. You also want them to stay home to care for sick children so they are not forced to go to school and spread the virus to other kids."

"Companies would also be wise to prepare for the worst in order to ensure continuity in the wake of an outbreak. They need to consider not just the possibility of their own workforce being depleted by absenteeism, but also of the likelihood of their suppliers being hobbled. A company might be running at 95 percent capacity, but if a supplier cannot deliver key parts because half of its workers are sick, it could still find itself unable to keep its operations running," he continued.

By being diligent managers can keep the flu under control even if they can’t keep it out of the workplace altogether.

• Longer shifts mean less people in the space on any given day.
   
• Skip store meetings until after flu season where everyone can become infected, post important messages to a bulletin board instead.
   
• Designate no-touch trash cans and place hand sanitizer throughout the store.
   
• Discourage handshakes and encourage hand washing.
   
• Ask employees to cough and sneeze into their elbow.
   
• Give someone the task of tracking who gets the flu and schedule accordingly.

Challenger also recommends, "For those who must go to the workplace, such as retail workers and hands-on service providers, companies should enforce a three-foot minimum buffer between all personnel at all times. Employees should also be encouraged, if not compelled, to follow strict hygienic practices, including washing hands regularly and using anti-bacterial wipes to keep their work area, phone, keyboard and mouse clean.

Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.