Protect Your Workers From The Flu And Save Money - A Lot Of Money

Good article today in MSN Money about the high cost of the current flu outbreak, "The CDC estimates that, on average, the flu costs employers and businesses approximately $10.4 billion dollars in direct costs for adult hospitalization and outpatient visits". And, as you know, this year is worse than average so costs will be even higher. The article goes on to list five things you can do to reduce the impact of the flu on your company. Strangely, they missed the most common sense approach, which is encouraging employees to get a flu shot.

One reason cited for people coming to work when they are sick is that they are afraid to take time off in the current employment economy. Smart companies have sick leave and/or paid time off (PTO) policies to discourage sick workers from coming to work and spreading the germs. For more on this, read Sick Leave vs. Paid Time Off (PTO)