Absenteeism due to flu and respiratory illness has not increased significantly in South Africa in the past five years, a study has found.
Research released by absenteeism management specialists CAM Solutions on Tuesday found that for every 100 employees, 66 are taking time off for flu every year and that this rate has not gone up in the past five years.
CAM Solutions chief executive Johnny Johnson said the research shows that corporate South Africa is containing the flu virus.
”We have found that the number of days taken per incidence of flu or respiratory illness has gone up slightly by 8% — from an average of 2,24 days per employee in 2001 to 2,42 days per employee in 2005.”
Johnson noted that the containment of the virus is possibly due to corporate wellness programmes taking effect, as well as the more widespread prevalence and marketing of the flu vaccine.
”The flu vaccine is possibly also the cause of the peaks flattening out,” he says.
”Whereas in 2001 the virus peaked in April/May, the curve is flattening now and we are seeing an even spread of occurrences through the winter months — from May to July,” he said.
”Unfortunately, flu and respiratory illness are one of those things we will never be able to control completely. But this research shows that with wellness programmes and preventive measures in place, we can reduce the impact on the bottom line.”
And with flu costing South African companies on average about R200 for every man-day lost due to absenteeism in direct costs (calculated on an average salary of R5 000 per month) — and R600 a day when taking into account the indirect costs of labour replacement and lost productivity — ”then reducing the incidents of these illnesses among employees is well worth it”, Johnson said.
The study monitored 7 000 employees at 60 companies over a five-year period. — Sapa