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Key takeaways from HAA's 'Breathe Easy' National Employer Briefing on respiratory wellness at work
Presented By:
On Nov. 13, 2024, the Health Action Alliance hosted Breathe Easy: Respiratory Wellness at Work, a National Employer Briefing. This timely discussion brought together public health experts and business leaders to explore ways to protect employee health during the respiratory illness season.
Read on for key highlights from the event, and watch the full recording below.
Opening Remarks: The Business Case for Respiratory Wellness
Amy Small, Managing Director of the Health Action Alliance, opened the event by discussing the challenges employers face as respiratory illnesses — flu, RSV, and COVID-19 — continue to disrupt productivity.
Key Insights
Between January and August 2024, 8.6 million workdays were lost due to illness, injury, or other medical problems.
Encouraging flu and COVID-19 vaccinations could save businesses $95 per employee in lost productivity.
Ventilation improvements, costing about $40 per employee annually, could yield productivity returns of $6,000 to $7,000.
Panel: Building a Respiratory Game Plan That Works
Dr. David Michaels, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA and Professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute for Public Health, led a conversation with Jessica Malaty Rivera, Science Communications Advisor at the de Beaumont Foundation, and Dr. Sohini Stone, Chief Medical Officer for Global Employee Health at Google. They shared ways to protect employee health and sustain engagement as workplaces navigate the ongoing impacts of flu, RSV, and COVID-19, along with the challenges posed by evolving variants and vaccine updates.
Key Insights
According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, employers are uniquely trusted sources of health information. This trust positions them to play a critical role in addressing respiratory wellness by providing accurate information, fostering safe environments, and ensuring employees have the tools and resources to stay healthy. Employers can help counter misinformation by taking action and setting a positive example for their workforce.
Takeaway Tactics
Start by listening: Before rolling out new policies or programs, ask employees for their input. Learn their needs, concerns, and feedback to ensure that your offerings aligns with their experiences.
Be clear about what’s possible: Be up front about what can and can’t be done. If the budget limits the scope of a program, explain that honestly to set realistic expectations and avoid disappointment.
Check in regularly: Don’t assume a plan is working — check back every few months to see if it’s meeting employees’ needs or if adjustments are needed.
Bring in experts: If the topic is outside your team’s expertise, invite knowledgeable speakers for lunch-and-learn sessions, virtual seminars, or open Q&A hours. This makes the information feel relatable and credible.
Rebrand messaging: Update communications around “flu season” to reflect the broader context of “respiratory illness season” to build awareness.
Insight Spotlight
Topic: Creating Safe and Healthy Spaces
Key Insights
Improved air quality is a cornerstone of respiratory illness prevention. Cleaner air reduces virus transmission and enhances overall employee well-being and productivity. Policies supporting mask-wearing, hybrid work options, and flexible sick leave create a safer and more equitable workplace.
Takeaway Tactics
Improve ventilation: Collaborate with facilities teams to optimize HVAC systems, increase ventilation, and incorporate HEPA filters.
Mask up: Encourage mask usage and maintain a judgment-free environment for employees who wear masks.
Utilize plants: Add green spaces or indoor plants to improve air quality and provide mental health benefits.
Encourage vaccinations: Encourage employees to get vaccinated and stay home when they are sick.
Insight Spotlight
Topic: Holistic and Equitable Approaches to Employee Wellness
Key Insights
Dr. Sohini Stone outlined a comprehensive and evolving approach to employee health and well-being that integrates physical, mental, and social dimensions. Two guiding principles underpin this strategy:
Holistic health approach: Health and well-being encompass physical, mental, and social aspects, all of which are interrelated. Whether addressing respiratory illnesses or other challenges, policies and actions should recognize this interconnectedness.
Global vision, local action: As a global organization, Google prioritizes scalable policies while tailoring interventions to address specific local threats and conditions, such as regionally relevant viruses and seasonal risks.
Takeaway Tactics
Make resources easy to access: Ensure employees and their families know what health resources are available and how to use them, like flu shots or counseling services. Consider providing on-site vaccination clinics and ensure benefits plans cover treatments, like Tamiflu and Paxlovid, to reduce barriers to care.
Be ready to act quickly: Establish clear guidelines for when to take action, like introducing mask recommendations or vaccine drives, based on what's happening in the community's health.
Plan for emergencies: Create a clear plan for how your workplace will handle health crises so you can keep everyone safe while still running your business smoothly.
Insight Spotlight
Topic: Driving Engagement Through Memorable Campaigns
Key Insights
Effective campaigns resonate through a mix of branding, consistency, and relevance. Using humor, visual elements, and repetition makes health campaigns more memorable and engaging.
Takeaway Tactics
Start with clear, action-oriented messaging: Use direct calls to action, like “Get your flu shot today!” Keep messages short, simple, and focused on benefits.
Incorporate fun and recognizable themes: Use familiar characters or slogans year after year to create continuity and engage employees. Add relatable visuals and lighthearted elements to make campaigns more engaging and memorable.
Highlight the bigger picture: Show how actions like getting vaccinated or staying home when sick help protect families, coworkers, and the broader community. Keep health-related communication ongoing across multiple channels, like newsletters, posters, and meetings, to maintain engagement.
Be transparent about workplace efforts: Give employees a glimpse into behind-the-scenes initiatives, like air quality improvements or health monitoring, to build trust.
Promote personal wellness habits: Encourage hand washing, healthy eating, exercise, and quality sleep to help employees build resilience against illness.
Insight Spotlight
Resource Roundup
Here are some useful resources from the Health Action Alliance to help your employees stay healthy:
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