How corporate flu vaccinations can empower your employees and boost your bottom line
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The health and wellbeing of your workforce should be a high priority as the flu virus is one of the most common causes of absenteeism and loss of productivity in a business. Millions of working days are lost annually in the UK due to ill health, with influenza a contributor during flu season. With the consequential cost to businesses estimated to be in the billions of pounds, there is a strong business case for employers introducing corporate flu vaccinations.
What are workplace flu clinics?
Workplace flu clinics enable businesses to better control the impact of seasonal flu. A dedicated team of healthcare professionals can visit your site and conduct a vaccination programme which protects employees from the worst effects of flu, with vaccinations tailored to combat the very latest strain of flu and provide the best possible protection. A flu vaccination programme can be designed to minimise workplace disruption, with anonymised data available to the employer for proactive analysis and research.
The benefits of corporate flu vaccinations
We can consider the benefits of workplace flu vaccinations by breaking them down into two categories; the benefits to the employee and how these empower them to perform better, and the benefits to the employer – how these positively impact on their bottom line results.
For the employee:
- Reduced risk of contracting flu – The flu vaccination can help to reduce incidents of employees contracting flu across different demographic groups, particularly those considered higher risk, such as pregnant employees, older employees, and employees with underlying health conditions.
- Reduced symptoms – Even if the vaccine doesn’t prevent an employee contracting flu, the symptoms experienced are often less severe.
- Health and wellbeing – Employees who receive the vaccine know their health is better protected. This provides considerable peace of mind and contributes to an improved work-life balance. Flu vaccinations can also help to create a form of herd immunity within a communal workforce, with enhanced shielding for vulnerable staff from the worst effects of flu.
- Job security and satisfaction – An employer who prioritises the health and wellbeing of their workforce can expect improved loyalty and commitment in return. Employees will feel valued, cared for, more secure and satisfied in their work. This promotes inclusivity and improves the culture of the workplace, meaning employees are more likely to feel emboldened and energised to go the extra mile in various workplace situations.
For the employer:
- Reduced absenteeism – Sickness absence due to flu can have a significant impact on the efficiency of workplace operations. Employees can be absent for several days due to flu, and other employees have to cover for them. This means lost productivity, increased sick pay, and costs related to temporary staff recruitment for some businesses, in addition to increased mental and physical strain on the workforce generally. Reduced absenteeism leads to a boost in employee performance and corresponding improvement to the bottom line.
- Improved productivity – Some employees will continue to attend work even if they are feeling the symptoms of flu. However, this can affect their focus, energy, and stamina, leading to mistakes, poor standards, and a loss of productivity. Flu vaccinations often reduce the severity of the flu, leading to quicker recovery and less ‘presenteeism’.
- Convenience – On site flu clinics can be managed with minimal disruption to everyday operations, as a vaccination can be administered to employees without having to take time off work, which can help to improve voluntary take-up.
- Improved workplace culture – In addition to having a fitter and healthier workforce, the employer can also benefit by having a more positively engaged workforce. By prioritising health and wellbeing in this way, morale and motivation is boosted, and a more positive culture is created which helps to improve productivity. Ultimately, this can lead to a reduced staff turnover, which creates a stable workforce and reduces recruitment costs.
Workplace flu vaccinations are a smart and proactive investment for a business, and an opportunity to positively engage your workforce and deliver significant financial benefits.