Few businesss benchmark their flu programs, a published study  from the Disability Management Employer Coalition finds. But those that do often discover room for improvement.

Nearly 80% of companys provide employees access to flu shots, either on-site or at a local clinic.  And 72% cover some or all of the cost (typically compensating between $10 to $20). But -

o  At 89% of firms, fewer than half of personnel actually get a flu shot

o  At 38% of businesses, fewer than 25% of workers participate

o  only 6 percent of firms can get at least 75 percent participation

o  87% of survey respondents said  they never measure absenteeism during flu season, and

o  75% never tracked whether workers who get flu shots are actually absent less often.

The firms that get best results are those that actively educate staff, track flu-related absenteeism and send sick staff home.