Flu Hits Workforce Early

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now calling the 2013 flu season as one of the worst in the last 10 years — and it hasn’t even peaked yet.

The flu season could cost employers billions of dollars, says outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The firm cites CDC estimates that the flu, on average, costs employers $10.4 billion in direct costs of hospitalization and outpatient visits. That doesn’t count business costs such as sick pay, work delays and reduced efficiency.

This year, the cost to businesses may be significantly higher in light of the increased number of cases, says Challenger. So far, 29 of 41 states reporting flu cases say the outbreak is at “severe” levels.

“Unfortunately, we are now entering what is typically the peak time for catching the flu. January and February are considered the heaviest period of the flu season that stretches from October into March. So, companies that may already be shorthanded coming out of the recession could find themselves struggling to keep up with demand in the weeks ahead as absenteeism claims more manpower,” said Mr. Challenger.