MARKET DATA, BEST PRACTICES, ADVICE

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST HERE

Does Your Workplace Sick Policy Make Employees More Likely to Spread a Virus?

With COVID-19 currently ravaging the world, many companies are now following a work from home policy if able. Still, it’s crucial during times like these to analyze current workplace sick policies to ensure they help prevent the spread of any contagious illness, both now and in the future. Ultimately, building a productive company requires a healthy and engaged workforce.

What follows are a few tips and insights on how to ensure your company’s sick policy is crafted to minimize illness and maximize productivity. In the end, it’s an essential part of any organization’s office culture.

Providing Too Few Sick Days Fosters the Spread of Illness

Many workers are faced with the prospect of not enough sick days. When they become ill, even with something as common as a cold or flu, it becomes difficult for them to take time off and lose pay. The ultimate result tends to be going into the office while sick, and spreading their illness to their coworkers. As a result, multiple employees become ill, and overall productivity takes a hit.

While some companies combine sick days, personal days, and vacation time into one paid time off (PTO) bucket, employees are still hesitant to use their vacation for an illness. This is especially the case with newer workers that haven’t accrued enough PTO. Once again, this tends to spread disease throughout the office if those workers come in while sick.

What Your Company’s Sick Policy Needs to Include

Any company’s sick policy needs to include some specific rules to help prevent illness from affecting the office’s productivity. For example, don’t require a signed note from a doctor for any absence lasting up to a week. This encourages employees to stay home when they are contagious but still don’t need to see a doctor. Additionally, let employees use sick days to take care of ill children.

Provide five paid sick days each year, along with five unpaid. Once again, this is an approach aimed at preventing employees from spreading their illnesses throughout the office. Also, ensure your company complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) even if not required by your state.

These simple additions to your workplace sick policy ensure a productive workforce that’s professionally satisfied. Ultimately, that’s good for the company’s bottom line.

When you need advice on building a great team at your organization, speak with the experts at Venteon. As one of the top technical and financial staffing agencies in the Midwest, we provide great candidates able to make a difference for you. Schedule some time with us soon!

 

 

Share It

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn