Lack of flu shots may hurt firms, workers

By Amy Joyce
Washington Post

WASHINGTON — The shortage of flu vaccine this fall poses serious challenges for employers concerned about productivity, and for workers who don't have paid sick leave and can't afford to miss a day.

Studies by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that immunized workers have 44 percent fewer doctor visits during the flu season. That's one reason, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, why 60 percent of organizations offer flu shots to their workers.

But with half the expected supply missing this fall, government health officials are telling workers they should stay home if they get the flu so the illness doesn't spread.

That means a change of plans for many companies. McLean, Va., mortgage buyer Freddie Mac told workers in a recent memo that, in place of the vaccine, they should wash their hands, get plenty of sleep and eat well to help ward off illness.

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., a McLean technology consulting firm, had to call off planned shots for employees too. "Fortunately, we're a youthful and healthful workplace," said spokesman George Farrar.

The outlook isn't as hopeful for the half of the American workforce that doesn't have paid sick leave, and thus has to work or lose money.

The Family and Medical Leave Act, which covers about 70 percent of the workforce, mandates that workers at companies with 50 or more employees get 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year.

Linda Meric, director of 9to5, National Association of Working Women, said that because of the gap in benefits, her group is supporting a proposal in Congress that would provide seven days of paid sick leave to every American worker.

Business groups oppose the idea of requiring paid sick leave, saying it would cost too much.

"There already is a requirement in law that requires 12 weeks of unpaid leave," said Randel Johnson of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "(The 9to5 proposal) would be a detriment for some businesses because some can afford paid leave and some can't."

Brian McDonough, of Contact One, doesn't offer paid sick leave to his 30 employees. If the flu hits, the call center will "just juggle schedules and probably have to go into an overtime situation for those employees" who are not ill.