Nov 9, 2009 6:20 pm US/Central
Chicago Company Brings Flu Clinic To Employees
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Chicago marketing agency Upshot brings a flu clinic right to its workers.
CBS
Sick employees are always a cause of concern for companies, and that's especially true this year with the shortage of the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines. But as CBS 2's Mai Martinez found, one Chicago company is taking unconventional steps to keep its workers healthy.
Every year, people line up to get their flu shots, but these days finding the time and vaccine can be difficult.
That's why Chicago marketing agency Upshot brings a flu clinic right to its workers.
"Oh it's fantastic. It's so much easier than having to go and search for one that's accepted by healthcare and all that, so having it right here in the office makes things really quick and easy," said Upshot employee Jaclyn Gordyan.
Upshot CEO Brian Kristofek says the reasons behind bringing a flu clinic to the office are simple.
"First of all, it makes it convenient for employees, and from a business perspective, having healthy employees is a good thing," Kristofek said.
Kristofek says that's especially true for a company's bottom line because fewer employees taking sick days results in more productivity. That's why a healthy work environment is a top priority at Upshot.
"We have hand sanitizer all over the place. We have these flu shots. We will get H1N1 flu shots as they become available," Kristofek said. "We tell people stay home if you're sick. We make them go home if they are, and make it really easy for people to work remotely."
Registered nurse Martha Krainyk says that's a good plan given how easily germs can spread in a workplace.
"Everything from the flu, to the cold, to upper respiratory infections. All it takes is one sneeze which travels across the air. You inhale that, and you can get whatever they have," said Krainyk.
She added that one sick employee in an office could make everyone in that office sick.
Employees say they appreciate the extra steps Upshot takes to keep them healthy.
"It's great. It's reassuring. It's a company that cares about its employees," said Heather Knapp.
CEO Brian Kristofek says wellness initiatives always will pay off because in his words, "People are happy, and people are healthy, so they're more productive, and it helps our business."
Upshot has seen such success with its "flu fighting" plan, it's now looking into other alternative wellness programs such as yoga and biometric testing.
It hopes to start offering those programs to its employees sometime next year.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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