Survey Shows Flu Virus Set to Make Workers, Businesses Ill this Season

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Nearly 80 percent of office workers polled come to work even when they know they are sick, according to the third annual Flu Season Survey from Staples, an increase of 20 percent over last year. For those that stay home, more than two-thirds return to work when they are still contagious, putting coworkers' health and business productivity at risk.

In a typical year, the flu virus is responsible for approximately 70 million missed workdays and an estimated $10 billion in lost office productivity. Survey results also show that employees could do more to keep the workplace healthy: half of office workers don't clean their workspaces regularly and are unaware of the dirtiest surfaces in the office.

Staples offers solutions to help maintain a healthy workplace by keeping things clean - whether a home office, small-to-mid-sized business or large enterprise. From simple items, such as hand sanitizer, to large-scale industrial cleaning products and techniques, Staples has the solutions to keep workers healthy and productive.