5 Ways to Host a Successful Workplace Flu Clinic
Spread Ideas at the Office, Not the Flu!
Fall is officially in full swing, and along with the cooler weather comes a higher risk of decreased immunity and an increase in employee sick days. Everyone in your workplace is susceptible to getting the flu. One of the best and simplest ways to ensure that your employees are protected from the flu is to provide Flu Shot Clinics at your workplace.
The flu shot is safe and is the most effective way to protect your staff. By making it as convenient as possible, employees are more likely to get vaccinated. Getting a flu shot is just one more part of an overall workplace wellness strategy. The flu typically lasts 7-10 days, but the cough and fatigue can last for up to 6 weeks! This slows down a full return to work.
| Here are some major benefits to hosting a workplace flu clinic:
-decreased absenteeism |
 |
How can you Host a Successful Clinic?
1) Start at the top level. Have senior management buy in to support the vaccination clinic at your workplace. Encourage them to set an example and have managers and business leaders get vaccinated first. Also ask managers and supervisors to allow employees to attend onsite flu vaccination clinics as part of their work day and without having to “go off the clock”.
2) Gather input and set a goal. Gauge need and demand among employees for flu vaccination. Provide sufficient and accessible flu vaccination in as many business locations as possible. Set a goal for participation and show employees how their participation matters. Each year, try to improve upon the percentage of employees vaccinated. Frame this goal as a business priority, and show your employees that their health is important on both a business and personal level.
3) Schedule appropriately. Schedule the time-slots according to regular shifts and aim to be flexible in allowing employees to participate during their regularly scheduled work day. Flu season usually begins in the Fall each year, which is the best time for your clinic! Provide a comfortable and convenient location for clinics. Consider the demands of space and need for privacy.
4) Promote. Posters on the importance of flu vaccination can be posted in break rooms, cafeterias and other high traffic areas. Writing or sharing an article in company communication (such as newsletters, intranet, emails etc.) about the clinic and flu prevention. A communication from business leadership to all employees promoting vaccination will help send the message of caring from the top level.
5) Incentivize to increase participation. Provide refreshments at the clinic, or consider holding a contest for departments with highest participation.
If you’re located in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region, contact Apex Occupational Health & Wellness today for support in planning your Fall Flu Clinic. Let us assist you in promoting to your employees, and handling all privacy and confidentiality concerns.
Onsite Flu Clinics
Protect yourself and protect your employees by offering an onsite flu clinic. Employees are more likely to be vaccinated when a flu shot clinic is offered onsite, during working hours. A flu shot clinic is a strong contributor to an overall workplace wellness strategy, as the employee can see that their organization is looking out for their health. Give our Flu Clinic Coordinator a call today to book your spot!
We provide onsite flu clinics in the Waterloo Region as well as Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, including:
- Kitchener
- Waterloo
- Cambridge
- Plattsville
- Elmira
- Guelph
- Wellington-Dufferin
- Ayr
- Baden
- New Hamburg
- Wellesley
- and more!
Call us today to book your clinic for the 2016/17 flu season – 519 896-3330