If workers take four sick days to recover from the flu, the cost to employers in lost productivity could reach over $9 billion, according to an estimate from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
“The current strain is particularly aggressive and those who are sick can be contagious for up to seven days. Workers who have the flu or need to care for someone with the flu should absolutely not come into work. This is exactly why employers have sick leave benefits,” said Andrew Challenger, Vice President of global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.