March 20, 2009
Did you know...?
Allergy symptoms are the No. 2 reason adults miss work
The spring allergy season will has already started, with warm weather days resulting in increasing tree pollen counts as early as February, peaking in March and April.
Allergic disorders are a chronic and highly prevalent condition in the general population and the workforce. Typical allergy symptoms are sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, as well as coughing, wheezing and other breathing difficulties. These conditions are often associated with other complications, including repeated episodes of sinus infections, ear problems, and asthma. Such problems can lead to work loss or school absences. Allergies may also have a severe impact on the quality of someone's life.
The effect of allergies on workers and corporate costs go beyond the direct cost of treatment and absenteeism, as the condition can lower a worker's productivity. More likely than absence is the circumstance of workers being present at work but limited in their daily productivity because of the symptoms of allergic disorders (often referred to as Presenteeism). Compared with workers without allergies, employees with allergies who reported using no medication showed a 10% decrease in productivity. Treatment for allergic disorders may further diminish productivity. Older, first-generation antihistamines, and many over-the-counter remedies, are known to produce drowsiness and to impair cognitive and motor function. Studies have projected that the use of sedating antihistamines by affected workers could result in a 25% reduction in productivity for 2 weeks per year and a cost to US corporations and society of as much as $2.8 billion per year. This estimation did not include the additional cost of 1 lost workday per year due to allergic disorders, which if included, would raise the estimate by an additional $108 to $324 million.
How Can You Manage Allergies at Work?
Experts recommend a three-pronged approach that includes:
ˇ Accurate diagnosis
ˇ Environmental control
ˇ Medication
Diagnosis must come first -- even if you think you already know what you're allergic to.
Employers can help alleviate allergens at work by controlling environmental factors such as keeping the workplace smoke free, providing fresh air ventilation, not allowing pets in the office, avoiding using carpets and other synthetic surfaces that give off chemicals, cleaning up dust as much as possible, and encouraging employees to wash their hands frequently.
Using safe medications, employees can treat their allergies effectively and feel - and perform - better at work Employees with allergies should consult their primary care physician for a referral to an allergist for more individualized treatment of their allergies.
Finally, the presence of allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies) is associated with risk for other diseases, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. Thus, recognition and proper treatment of allergic rhinitis has both short and long-term benefits for the individual as well as the employer.
To read more about allergies and workplace productivity visit the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine web site at http://www.acoem.org/.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
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