09th November 2007 Winter Brings ‘Cold’ Spell
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Winter beckons a dramatic increase in absence levels throughout the UK workforce. October saw a 33% increase in absences due to coughs, colds and flu like symptoms, according to FirstCare, leading UK specialists in attendance management.
“Coughs, colds and flu like symptoms normally account for 15% of all absences across the UK workforce; in October, we saw this rise to just over 20%, and November is showing similar trends,” explains Aaron Ross, Managing Director of FirstCare.
“The rise in the number of coughs and colds is reflected in the overall increase in sickness absence, with average rates across our client base hitting 4.9% – the highest level so far this year,” says Ross. “This is 18% above the average annual rate. This rise has a direct impact on productivity and, if sustained, could cost the UK an extra £165m per month – on top of the £13billion annual costs reported by the CBI.”
“We are proactively communicating a guide called, ‘How NOT to catch a cold’ to our clients. This is to ensure that employees are aware of the simple steps they can take to reduce the risk of catching coughs and colds. We expect to see absence levels return to ‘normal’ in the run up to Christmas but, at the moment, they show no sign of abating.”
How NOT to catch a cold
Sickness absence due to coughs, colds and flu like symptoms has dramatically increased in recent weeks.
To ensure you stand the best chance of remaining fit and healthy in the winter season our medical team have drawn up a five step plan to help you minimise the risk of catching a cold:
1. Wash your hands. Colds can easily spread through an office, a train carriage or a classroom. One of the best ways to mitigate the risk is to ensure that you wash your hands well with soap and water, particularly if you have a cold – coughing into your hand and then immediately shaking someone else’s hand is a sure fire way to spread the pathogens.
2. Look after your body. With the arrival of winter snuggling up to the TV in the comfort of your warm lounge becomes an attractive proposition but don’t let it get in the way of good regular exercise. The fitter your body the more likely you are to be able to defend yourself against colds and flu. One of the best ways of conquering the winter blues is to head out of the house wrapped up nice and warm and embrace the cold winter’s night with a quick stroll around town.
3. Eat healthily. We all tend to eat more in the winter as it helps provide us with the extra energy we need to keep warm but combined with reduced levels of physical activity it could be a recipe for disaster. Make sure that you continue to include a good mix of fresh fruit and vegetables with your winter dishes.
4. Supplement your diet. Increasing vitamin C levels is a good way of helping your immune system to fend off unwanted bugs. If you can get the vitamin C you need from fruit then all the better, but failing that vitamin C supplements are a good source.
5. Rest. If you are unlucky enough to catch a cold then rest well, drink plenty of fluids and let your body recover and consult your pharmacist for symptomatic relief.
