You are not alone. According to the 2006 CCH Unscheduled Absence Survey, 56 percent of employers report that “presenteeism,” when sick employees show up for work, is a problem in their organization.

Here are some tips employers can take to help ensure a healthier workplace and minimize disruptions during flu season:

• Offer a flu-vaccination program. Sixty-four percent of organizations CCH surveyed now sponsor flu-shot programs for employees, up from 61 percent in 2005.
• Tap your employee assistance program and healthcare support services Determine if they offer a hotline or website your employees can use to access FAQs and get guidance and information about healthcare issues.
• Establish and communicate guidelines. Help employees understand under what conditions they should stay home, and when it’s safe to return to work. For example, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates individuals who get the flu may be able to infect others from the day before their symptoms develop, to five days after becoming sick.
• Provide tips on how to avoid spreading germs. Use posters or offer the information on your corporate intranet. A good source is the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm#GoodHealthHabits.
• Make sure absence control polices are not counterproductive. Programs such as disciplinary action need to be assessed to ensure they don’t unnecessarily pressure sick employees to report for work.
• Foster a healthy environment. Managers should foster an environment in which ill employees feel comfortable asking to leave the workplace or, better yet, not report to work in the first place.
• Set a good example. Managers should be urged not to come in sick, as employees may then see the message to “stay home” as lip service.
• Keep common areas clean. Work with employees and your facilities group to make sure common areas are cleaned regularly. This may even include cleaning conference rooms between meetings.
• Recognize helpful employees. Consider bonuses, rewards or other recognition for employees who step in to help do extra work for ill colleagues.

Source: 2006 CCH Unscheduled Absence Survey, Human Resources Management Ideas & Trends, Issue No. 641, October 25, 2006.