NY Employers: Prepare for Flu Season and Prevent Workers Comp Claims
Flu season is upon us. There is no way to predict who will get the flu or when it might occur, however it is not unreasonable for everyone to anticipate missing time at work resulting from flu related issues. Employees themselves may become sick or they may have to take time off to care for children or other family members who are infected. For this reason both employers and their staff should have some plan in place to deal with absences during the flu season.
Preventing the Spread of Viruses at the Workplace
The best way to prepare for the flu season is to recognize symptoms of the flu and a policy that will address time off for those who become sick. In this economy where many people cannot afford to miss work, it is important to stress the point of health and wellness for all involved. Employees should be given reminders about how to prevent the spreading of the flu and encouraged to take time off if they become infected. One sick individual reporting to work can spread the illness to co-workers and customers. If a sick employee is forced to come to work for fear of losing their job, other employees who become infected may qualify for a NY workers compensation claim. While it is almost impossible to trace where an individual actually contracts the flu, it is a safe bet that being forced to work with an individual who is clearly sick, increases the likelihood of the virus spreading to others.
What Employers Need to Know About Flu Season
It is often difficult to facilitate time off for an employee or in some cases several employees who come down with the flu. This is why it is important to develop a plan prior to individuals getting sick to ensure those who are unable to make it to work are not forced to do so. The flu is more serious than the common cold, and anyone who has the flu will not only subject others around them to the virus but also perform with much less efficiency than they would if given proper time to rest and recover. Everyone from the employer to the employees and any others they may come in contact with will benefit when sick individuals are given the opportunity to stay home until they are well enough to return to work.
