Fight Asthma and Allergies, Boost Productivity

April 13, 2010
Written by: Julie Bosche, Filed in: Employee Health Programs

A major cause of missed workdays and lost productivity might be right under your nose.

The culprit? Asthma and allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), an estimated 20 million Americans suffer from asthma (that’s one in 15), and half of all asthma cases are classified as “allergic-asthma,” meaning the problems coexist.

Suffering employees may find it hard to make it through a workday when they’re feeling sneezy, wheezy, and congested. Additionally, allergy medications can cause drowsiness and fatigue, making it even harder to concentrate on work.

And of course this kind of widespread and persistent medical concern takes a serious toll on your company. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), asthma accounts for 10.1 million missed workdays for adults annually. Absenteeism and lost productivity due to allergies cost businesses more than $250 million each year.

Though no allergy-alleviation measures are likely to cure the entire staff of respiratory issues, there are ways to minimize the effects of allergies and asthma in the workplace.

Simple steps can bring relief:

Listen to your employees. Find out if their allergies and asthma are more intense at work than outside the office. If so, it’s a safe bet that one of the offenders is something in the workplace.

Advise workers to dust and clean their workstations regularly. This will not only help cut down on potential allergens but also keep disease-causing germs at bay.

Have air filters changed frequently to improve office air quality.

Encourage employees who suffer with asthma and/or allergies to invest in a HEPA air purifier for their workspace.

Have soiled, dusty, or moldy carpets replaced or professionally cleaned with hypoallergenic products.

Ask employees to investigate non-sedating allergy medications such as Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec if antihistamines such as Benadryl and Sudafed make them feel fatigued.