NU Online News Service, Oct. 19, 12:45 p.m. EDT
Despite widespread publicity about the need for preventive measures to avoid the flu, nearly a third of workers in a poll said they have not altered their behavior.
The findings were contained in a Tell It Now(SM) survey released today from ComPsych Corporation.
However, more than 70 percent of those polled said they have made changes.
The poll asked workers if H1N1 (swine) flu had made them more careful about protecting their health this year–and, if so, what was their primary focus.
Of those responding, 47 percent said they were more careful and "more likely to wash my hands/avoid touching people or workplace surfaces."
Sixteen percent said they were more inclined to get a flu shot, and 8 percent said they were more likely to stay home/keep family members home if there are flu symptoms.
However, 29 percent said the flu had not made them more careful about protecting their health and their habits haven't changed.
Chicago-based ComPsych is a provider of employee assistance programs (EAPs) and GuidanceResources, behavioral health, wellness, work-life and crisis intervention services.
Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, ComPsych chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement released with the poll figures said, "The workplace is an essential environment for encouraging people to stay healthy. While the survey results are a good indication that employees are responding to public health advice, employers should take note of the nearly 30 percent who are not inclined to change health behavior even in the face of a pandemic."
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