Flu Shots Required.....?

[xor]

So I'm about to go and get my flu shot. Not because I belief the hype, but just because I don't want to get sick, & miss a week of work.

With all the hype on the news, and Obama declaring a national emergency, how long before it will be required by businesses for workers to show proof of immunization. From a business perspective it's a good idea. Sick workers hurt the bottom line. If they can give you a drug test, they can also ask for you to have a flu shot, yes/no, thoughts anyone?

xor


Sometime later that day:

Well that was an epic fail. No vaccine to be had through the retail channel. CVS and Wallgreens both out, and out for over 2 weeks.

[streaker69]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

So I'm about to go and get my flu shot. Not because I belief the hype, but just because I don't want to get sick, & miss a week of work.

With all the hype on the news, and Obama declaring a national emergency, how long before it will be required by businesses for workers to show proof of immunization. From a business perspective it's a good idea. Sick workers hurt the bottom line. If they can give you a drug test, they can also ask for you to have a flu shot, yes/no, thoughts anyone?

While it does state in the company handbook that random drug testing may be conducted at certain times, it does not state anywhere that employees will be compelled to receive any kind of injection.

If a company were to try to force employees to do it, I'm quite certain that they'd be served with papers near the speed of light.

[Thorn]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

While it does state in the company handbook that random drug testing may be conducted at certain times, it does not state anywhere that employees will be compelled to receive any kind of injection.

If a company were to try to force employees to do it, I'm quite certain that they'd be served with papers near the speed of light.

<shrug>At the PD and the Forensic Lab, we were required to have several different vaccinations, including Hepatitis and Rabies. I'm surprised that they'd don't require Hepatitis shots at your workplace.

[xor]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

When compared to the cost, not to mention the security risks, involved with telecommuting, a $30 flu shot is a no brainer. Keep in mind these folks are all about telecommuting.

http://www.jala.com/homecba.php Fixed

xor

[streaker69]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

<shrug>At the PD and the Forensic Lab, we were required to have several different vaccinations, including Hepatitis and Rabies. I'm surprised that they'd don't require Hepatitis shots at your workplace.

Certain employees are required to have their Hep shots. My position does not require it. Even so, the employee handbook clearly defines what is required and to make changes to that, is kind of like the whole elephant mating thing that you're so fond of.

[barry99705]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

<shrug>At the PD and the Forensic Lab, we were required to have several different vaccinations, including Hepatitis and Rabies. I'm surprised that they'd don't require Hepatitis shots at your workplace.

I used to have to get all those cool shots in the military. Now nothing pierces my skin unless it's an accident. The only time I every got sick was when I got my flu shot.

[streaker69]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

I used to have to get all those cool shots in the military. Now nothing pierces my skin unless it's an accident. The only time I every got sick was when I got my flu shot.

I've never had a flu shot, and I've only ever had the flu once in the past 20 years. I figure if I get sick, I'll use a few of my 60 days off to get better. I can do most of my work remotely.

[sintax_error]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

I might actually go out and get it today. My reasoning is exactly the same as xor's. I tend to get sick (out of commission for 3 days or more) on average twice a year. As far as being required in the workplace, I'd disagree, that's one of those things that is just invasive enough to give you as an employer way more trouble (and cost) than it's worth.

However, I'm a strong believer that if you know you are sick, you have no business being at work to infect others, that's a dick move, and should be regulated by employers. All it takes is one person coming in contagious to really hurt productivity in any work environment.

[theprez98]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

Most of the employers that initially mandated flu shots (State of NY) are now rescinding those mandates simply because there aren't enough doses to go around. Obviously a much smaller employer might not react in the same way.

I think health care providers probably have a better argument for their employees.

[streaker69]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

However, I'm a strong believer that if you know you are sick, you have no business being at work to infect others, that's a dick move, and should be regulated by employers. All it takes is one person coming in contagious to really hurt productivity in any work environment.

Where does that end? Granted, it's a dick move if you know you have the flu or a cold or something like that, but if you start granting powers like that to HR to determine if you should be allowed at work if you're contagious it would need to be well defined. Next thing you know, if you have something like Hep A,B,C, HIV, or even Herpes, they'll send you home or find a way to get rid of you.

Plus, most of the time, you're contagious before you even feel any symptoms at all.

[theprez98]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

We have "STOP" signs on the front doors that tell you to stay home when you're sick.

[sintax_error]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

We have "STOP" signs on the front doors that tell you to stay home when you're sick.

Hell, that would be good enough for me as long as it was somewhat enforced, as in the boss walking by and pulling the "go home for the day, get some rest" spiel. As for herpi-syph-a-ghonno-titis, I agree totally that would be taking it too far. I'm just talking about a policy that would keep those who know they are contagious with cold/flu, etc. that can be passed around by picking up the wrong phone or using the wrong keyboard out of the office.

[streaker69]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

Hell, that would be good enough for me as long as it was somewhat enforced, as in the boss walking by and pulling the "go home for the day, get some rest" spiel. As for herpi-syph-a-ghonno-titis, I agree totally that would be taking it too far. I'm just talking about a policy that would keep those who know they are contagious with cold/flu, etc. that can be passed around by picking up the wrong phone or using the wrong keyboard out of the office.

The problem with that idea is though, you're contagious before you know if, you've already done the damage to your co-workers, granted, you can do more damage, but you've already passed it along.

Maybe all businesses should have high intensity UV lighting at the entrances to kill anything that's already residing, and then everyone could work in their own little airlock/cone of silence.

Me, I try to stay in my office and avoid as much human contact as possible, but that's just SOP.

[sintax_error]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

Maybe all businesses should have high intensity UV lighting at the entrances to kill anything that's already residing, and then everyone could work in their own little airlock/cone of silence.

My main point is if you know it, damage done or not. But none the less, I concede, it would be damn near impossible to enforce, and is more a matter of decency than anything. Though the airlock/cone of silence does sound appealing...

Those who knowingly go about their business coughing on everything/everyone like it's just another day is just a pet peeve of mine. Especially if the symptoms haven't yet become fully pronounced, but they have a good idea that they are sick. Not cool.

A more suitable option would be for employers (some do, and it's a great idea) is to simply offer the shot to everyone at no cost to the employee, take it or leave it, your choice, the option is there. Enforcement being a non-issue at that point.

[beakmyn]

Re: Flu Shots Required.....?

I got all the shots before I went to China. Last year I didn't get a flu shot and I got the flu let's just say it was NOT fun! It started with 14 straight hours of porcelain praying. Get one, on the bright side you can get the flu mist up your nose.