Counting the Cost: The Impact of Influenza on Australian Workplaces
With the influenza season is approaching, many businesses incorporate a workplace flu vaccination program into their Health and Wellbeing Program. Being absent from work due to illness costs Australian business owners more than $7 billion yearly in lost wages, whilst attending to work when unwell (presenteeism) costs employers up to $28 billion in lost productivity.
Flu or Influenza is a significant cause of both absenteeism and presenteeism, with 254,299 confirmed notifications of laboratory-confirmed influenza in Australia in 2023 (January to October 18 2023).
Severe flu outbreaks pose a significant financial impact on several individual businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
Boosting Business Health: The Strategic Advantage of Workplace Flu Vaccinations
A staff flu vaccination program is an excellent way to protect your employees against the flu in the wintertime. Major studies indicate that workplaces that offer a corporate flu vaccination before the season sets in will see a far more significant saving than what they ever spent on the flu shot program. This will also improve productivity, raise staff morale and lead to a healthier and happier workforce.
Implementing workplace vaccination programs during seasonal or pandemic influenza outbreaks can be a cost-effective measure for employers across different industries. Since employees make up a significant portion of the population and spend a considerable amount of time at work, employer decisions can play a critical role in controlling the spread of influenza. While some employers may be motivated by altruism, highlighting the potential positive impact of vaccination on a business’s profitability can be a more compelling factor for others. Our model provides benchmarks that individual employers can use to determine the optimal local vaccination strategies based on their specific conditions.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2926133/
As effective as a mobile flu clinic can be alone, the program is viewed by the workforce as a plank along the way to a complete program for implementing improvements in the employee’s health. These Health and Wellness programs develop a strategic approach to employees’ health that can include health checks, diabetes risk assessments, skin checks, mental health checks, nutrition and lifestyle seminars, regular health and physical assessments and participation in fitness programs.
These health programs aim to develop an awareness to deliver a holistic solution for balancing life. Responsible managers want to ensure their health and well-being budget is being used appropriately, so they implement strategies that monitor their wellness and health outcomes. Regular assessments are a great way to build data around the programs and track the benefits of the investment.
As a leading flu vaccination provider in Australia, Corporate Care brings a fresh approach to the flu vaccine, health assessments and pre-employment screening for the workplace. Unique, ground-breaking services abound for businesses in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and beyond for this flu vaccination provider.
For further information about our Staff Flu vaccination services, please get in touch with our Immunisation specialist on 1300 79 74 10 or email at flu@corporatecare.com.au. Alternatively, please complete the below influenza enquiry form, and our Flu shots coordinator will contact you within one business day.
