You’ve read those scary news reports about a new coronavirus arriving in the United States from China. Even scarier is how mild coronavirus can be difficult to detect because it closely mirrors influenza. But while coronavirus might never become pandemic in the US, we can certainly count on our annual outbreak of seasonal flu.

Flu activity continues to increase across the nation, with the worst of flu season yet to come. California and Illinois are among 32 states that reported high levels of influenza-like illness this week. So it’s no wonder that workers everywhere cringe to hear a cough or sniffle echo through the office. This begs the question, with so many cooties in the air, why would a sick person come to work when each shaken hand or turned doorknob could bring pestilence? The answer could lie in your company’s culture.

Let’s look at why your sick employees are still coming to work, and what you can do to keep your office healthy.

Create a culture of wellness

When calling out is met with a grumble from the boss, sick employees will often come to work for fear of retribution. Instead, make employees feel comfortable taking time off for illness, and even encourage sick employees to stay home. (Remember, your PTO policy probably allows for sick time, so employees are entitled to take it one way or another.) This starts with teaching your leaders to promote a wellness friendly environment. When an employee does call out sick, leaders should offer compassionate and understanding responses, such as, “Feel better soon” or “Take whatever time you need.” Leaders can also set the example by staying home when they are sick.

Create a culture of flexibility

Even when sick employees are encouraged to stay home, they might push back because there is too much work to do. They worry that work will pile up or that the office will not function right without them. This problem has two solutions: You could try cross-training: making sure at least one other staff member is trained on the critical aspects of each job, such as designating a backup to run payroll when the payroll specialist is out of the office. You could also try telecommuting options: allowing an employee to work from home with remote network access and videoconferencing, especially if they are still symptomatic but feel well enough to work. Every employee must know the show can go on for a while without them.

Create a culture of health awareness

You can proactively reduce illness-related absences by increasing health awareness and by limiting the spread of germs in the office. At the start of cold and flu season, consider sending an email that encourages sick employees to stay home to recover. Also try placing hand-washing signs in the restrooms, distributing hand sanitizer, and regularly sanitizing break rooms and lobbies, phone receivers and door handles. You can also educate employees about the CDC guidelines for flu season, including the symptoms and the suggested recovery time.

In conclusion

Coronavirus may not have employees down and out yet, but the reality is, flu season will knock out a portion of your workforce every October to May. The good news? By following these simple steps, you can help prevent the spread of illness and be on your way to a healthier, more productive office!