As the weather gets colder and the nights get darker, flu and common cold cases are set to rise significantly across Canada, leaving employers at risk of last-minute absences and dips in productivity.
According to BrightHR, a global HR and health & safety software provider that monitors over 7,000 companies and approximately 65,000 of their employees across Canada, November is the second ‘sickest’ month of the year after January, with sickness absences regularly increasing by around 117% against the average month.
Last year, November not only had the highest number of sickness absences caused by the common cold, doubling the monthly average, but also recorded the second highest number of flu-related absences at 131% above the average. December showed a similar picture, sharing the joint-second highest number of flu-related absences at 131% above the monthly average.
The data reveals why employers must prepare now for a flurry of seasonal sickness absences. According to BrightHR’s absence management software, absences caused by the flu and common cold begin to rise in November and don’t slow down until the end of January, with over a third (34.4%) of all sickness absences caused by the flu or colds occurring between November and January.
Sharing his advice for employers as flu season hits, Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR, comments: “As we head into the winter months, the data paints a clear picture—employers will need to stay frosty to tackle the additional absences head-on.
Firstly, it’s crucial to encourage your staff to get their flu jabs. Nobody enjoys getting stuck with a needle, but it’s a small poke that can save a lot of sick days. A vaccinated team is less likely to be hit hard by the flu, which means fewer absences and a more productive and happier workplace. Plus, it shows you care about your team and reduces the chance of staff being sick over Christmas. Anyone who has been sick on Christmas Day knows how awful this can be for your mood and rest.
On that note, remind your team to rest up and take care of their health. Encourage them to stay home if they’re feeling under the weather. It’s better to have one person off for a day or two than to have the whole office coughing and sneezing for weeks. Healthy employees are happy employees, and happy employees are more productive over the winter season.
A small thing, but one that many business owners overlook, is making sure their absence policy is clear and well-communicated. Employees should know exactly what to do if they fall sick. This reduces confusion and makes sure everyone is on the same page, especially if they’ve got ‘flu-brain’ like many of us get when we get sick. Using tracking tools to spot trends in seasonal sickness can also help you spot patterns and stay ahead of the curve. If you can understand when and why absences spike, you’ll be well on your way to minimizing disruption and keeping a tight ship.
And don’t sleep on shift scheduling tools—they’re lifesavers when it comes to filling in for last-minute absences. These tools can help you quickly find replacements, ensuring your business doesn’t freeze over just because someone is out sick.
By taking these steps, you can keep your workforce health and your business running smoothly during the flu season.”