Employees and employers are well aware of the impact of the flu
on workplace productivity, but more than half of people surveyed
(53 percent) say they have gone to work with the flu, according to
the sixth annual flu season survey from Staples, a leading provider
of supplies that help keep offices healthy. The findings show a
strong understanding of how to stop the flu from spreading, but a
disconnect in following key prevention techniques.
Respondents are knowledgeable about the flu and flu
prevention
A high percentage of survey respondents indicated a strong
knowledge of flu protection techniques:
- 90 percent know they can protect
themselves from the flu by eating right and washing hands
regularly.
- More than half (54 percent) know flu
viruses can live up to three days on a surface.
- 43 percent know they are contagious one
day before flu symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after
getting sick.
Despite high awareness, employees continue to work when
sick
But employees still come to work when sick. Of the 30 percent of
respondents who came down with the flu last year, 55 percent still
went to work sick, and although 59 percent say they should stay
home when sick for two to three days, only 43 percent actually do
so.
Employees are mindful of sick colleagues, with 88 percent of
them having encouraged sick colleagues to go home—even if they
don’t practice what they preach.
“It’s encouraging to see that employees have a strong
understanding of flu risks and prevention, but there’s still work
to be done,” said Dr. Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology
and environmental sciences at the University of Arizona who studies
the transmission of pathogens through the environment. “Staples'
survey shows that less than ten percent of respondents sanitize
their phone and only one percent sanitize their tablet – two of the
dirtiest items employees come in contact with throughout the day.
The flu wreaks havoc on U.S. employees and in turn on businesses
every year. Simple measures such as cleaning, sanitizing and
limiting exposure can make a huge difference.”
According to the survey, most employees (58 percent) are still
coming to work sick because they feel there is too much going on at
work to take a sick day, an uptick from 30 percent in 2012. Half of
them feel the pressure to be at work or “tough it out,” and 25
percent don’t feel confident that someone else can handle their
work when they’re out sick.
There is an even larger issue at the management level with 30
percent of business decision makers (BDMs) indicating their boss
expects them to come to work if they have the flu, while only 19
percent of office workers say so. In fact, 39 percent of BDMs think
that going to work while sick shows that they have extra
initiative, compared to only 28 percent of office workers. More
BDMs went into the office with the flu because of pressure to be at
work compared to office workers (54 percent to 45 percent).
Flu season’s impact on businesses
Workers agree that workplace illness’s impact on a business is
about as damaging as a natural disaster, more damaging than a
product/customer service issue and nearly as damaging as a security
breach.
“The flu is responsible for an estimated 70 million missed work
days and billions of dollars in lost office productivity each year,
so clearly businesses need to provide education and tools to keep
workers healthy,” said Chris Correnti, vice president of Staples
Facility Solutions at Staples Advantage, the business-to-business
division of Staples.
It’s not just missed workdays that have a detrimental impact –
66 percent of respondents say presentism – going into work sick but
not maintaining productivity – is worse for a business than an
employee staying home, a sharp increase from 31 percent last
year.
Helpful resources to inspire workplace wellness
No matter the size of the business, Staples Advantage,
Staples.com and Staples stores offer products and tips to keep
businesses of all sizes running smoothly during flu season. From
simple items, such as hand sanitizers, to large-scale industrial
cleaning products, Staples has the solutions to keep workers
healthy and productive.
Visit https://www.slideshare.net/secret/30DpSisUCqKl13 to learn
about common misconceptions about the flu to help you stay
protected during the flu season.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted by Redshift Research among 1500 U.S.
Office workers. All were working full-time and spend at least 50
percent of their time working in an office environment. 704 were
managers and the remaining 796 were general office workers. Results
of any sample are subject to sampling variation.
About Staples
Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and
more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and
delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and
whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online, on mobile
devices, or through the company’s innovative buy online, pick-up in
store option. Staples offers more products than ever, such as
technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety
supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services.
Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North
and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More
information about Staples (SPLS) is available at
www.staples.com.
About Staples Advantage
Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples,
Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS), serves organizations of 10 or more employees
up to the Fortune 1000, helping them make more happen with more
products, greater cost savings and improved ordering efficiencies.
Staples Advantage provides its customers, including global
businesses, local, state and federal government, healthcare
organizations and educational institutions, with a one source
solution featuring comprehensive products and services like office
supplies, technology, printing, promotional products, furniture and
facility supplies, along with a customized level of account support
and best-in-class customer service. More information is available
at www.staplesadvantage.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151013005043/en/
Staples, Inc.Shweta Agarwal,
508-253-8249shweta.agarwal@staples.com
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