How Small Businesses Can Get Ahead of the Flu Season

This winter may bring one of the toughest flu seasons in years. For SMEs already grappling with workforce shortages, that means working smarter.

While staving off the flu is a matter for healthcare professionals, there are plenty of ways for employers to get ahead of the issue and keep employees well, engaged and supported during unpredictable weeks.

Here are five practical ways businesses and freelancers can ride out this flu wave – even if the exact timing and severity is unpredictable.

1. Make sick-policy about early support, not waiting until crisis

Traditional sick-leave policies often hinge on reactive steps that kick in once you’re already under the weather. But during this heavy flu season, when cases are rising rapidly, it’s worth flipping the script by:

• Encouraging an open space to report early symptoms and highlighting flexible working options, which can help contain the spread of flu and allow those who feel up to it to dial in if and when they want to.
• Building in a small block of unscheduled time each week to absorb unexpected disruptions without missing deadlines – especially if your workforce includes casual as well as full-time staff.

2. Hybrid and remote-friendly = productivity insurance

The pandemic has already tested remote working options for most employers. For those who can offer employees opportunities to work from home, reiterating that the option is open can be an incredibly useful way to reduce the risk of spreading the bug.

Some practical ways to make that work include:

• Permitting remote working by default when someone shows early symptoms
• Staggering in-office days so absences don’t hit the broader team all at once
• Working asynchronously, using tools suited to this approach such as messaging platforms, productivity tools, AI and shared documents
• Giving freelancers the option to work remotely when they need it

3. Winter workspace tweaks

The flu isn’t the only thing that can impact productivity during winter. Cold, darker days can have a similar effect. Some simple tweaks can help:

• Reminding employees about optional face mask use 
• Improving lighting in the winter months to combat sluggishness
• Making space for warm-up break-out areas – for example, hot drinks stations, comfortable seating and perhaps optional themed days like a favourite-cardigan or jumper day
• Encouraging short walks every hour or so to boost circulation and energy levels
• Reiterating the importance of hydration and hand-washing

4. Look after yourself if you’re a freelancer or micro-business

If you run your own show or you’re a solo consultant, taking sick leave can be more complicated. To reduce the impact if you do need time off – or simply to make that time less stressful – consider:

• Building a small backlog of low-effort tasks or maintenance jobs you can handle when you’re recovering but not at full capacity
• Communicating early with clients – especially if you begin to feel overwhelmed or under the weather
• Having trusted cover lined up so you’re not totally out of action

5. Encourage prevention

Employers can’t mandate vaccinations, but they can encourage uptake by:

• Signposting information for those eligible for free NHS jabs or reminding staff of existing company flu-jab programmes
• Sending friendly company-wide reminders at this time of year (e.g., “If you’re eligible for a vaccine, here’s how to book”)
• Running light wellness campaigns with tips on how to prioritise health during winter

Don’t be complacent

Flu season often feels like a background risk, but with this year’s warnings, it’s moving into the foreground. For business leaders, it’s less about panic and more about prepared calm. For freelancers and micro-businesses, it’s about building a bit of resilience now so you’re not scrambling when you feel under the weather.

After all, whether you’re working with clients, collaborators or colleagues, everything works better when people are well.