We are coming into 'flu season and that is always such a frustrating time for any employer or manager. Everyone coughing and sneezing and spluttering. Last minute calls to say, “Oooo, boss, I’m siiiiiiiick, I can’t come to work today”. You get the wussies who take a week off as soon as they get a sniffle. And just as bad (if not worse) are the tough nuts who come to work and try to soldier on, but end up coughing and sneezing over everyone else!
A Messy 'Flu Season On the Way
All joking aside, this 'flu season shows the promise of being a messy one:
- The borders have re-opened, so we'll have tourists bringing in the new viruses
- We've reverted back to lazy habits of not washing our hands as often as we should
- Anyone showing 'flu like symptoms will be expected to isolate, as they might have Omicron
- We all have 10 days sick leave now instead of 5
Further to that last point, however, inflation and the cost of living are running rampant. While we all qualify for 10 days sick leave now, some of us have already used a fair chunk of that during the Omicron outbreak. There will be many people who simply cannot afford to get sick and take Leave Without Pay.
2020 Was an Easy 'Flu Season
Hardly any of us got the 'flu that year. Why not, we weren't even wearing masks? But think back to what we were doing that year, fresh out of Level 4 lockdown:
- Diligently washing our hands and using hand sanitiser
- Sneezing and coughing into a tissue or our elbows
Such simple routines, but so effective. We all know this, we just keep forgetting.
The Tools to Stop the Spread
Working on the basis that prevention is better than a cure, ACTA has the gear to help you prevent the 'flu from spreading within your workplace:
