When the winter weather hits and flu season arrives, the instinct for many managers is to "power through." However, in the fast-paced worlds of warehousing, hospitality, and light industrial work, a "work-at-all-costs" culture can actually be a major risk to your productivity.

This season, we are encouraging our partners to embrace a strategic approach to illness: Encourage your team to stay home when they are sick.

The Science of the "Spread"

It may feel like you are losing progress by having one person off the floor for a day. However, consider the math of an office or warehouse flu:

• The Single-Worker Scenario: One employee stays home. You might be down 10% in capacity for two days.
• The "Power Through" Scenario: That employee comes in. Within 72 hours, 30-50% of your team is now under the weather, working at half-speed, or forced to take off at the same time.

By encouraging staff to take a sick day at the first sign of illness, you are effectively "quarantining" the risk and keeping the rest of your workforce healthy and hitting their quotas.

The Problem with "Presenteeism"

"Presenteeism" is when employees are physically at work but aren't fully functioning because of illness. In industrial and hospitality roles, this is more than just a productivity issue. It’s a safety issue.

• A sick worker has slower reaction times.
• A sick worker is more likely to make errors in documentation or machinery operation.
• A sick worker in hospitality can negatively impact the guest experience or food safety.

Building a Culture of Trust

When employees feel pressured to work while sick, they often feel undervalued. By saying, "We value your health and the health of the team, please take the time you need," you build long-term loyalty. This transparency also means they are more likely to give you more notice, allowing you to call Core Personnel to bring in a temporary back-up to keep the line moving.

3 Tips for Managing Winter Wellness

1. Lead by Example: If leadership stays home when they are sick, the staff will feel it is safe for them to do the same.
2. Cross-Train Now: Use the pre-winter weeks to cross-train employees so that if one person is out, the "knowledge gap" doesn't stop production.
3. Communicate Early: Remind your staff of your sick leave policies before the peak of flu season hits.

Core Personnel is Your Winter Safety Net

You don’t have to choose between a healthy team and meeting your deadlines. Partnering with Core Personnel means you have a plan in place before the first sneeze. Whether you need a temporary team member to cover a sick leave or an extra set of hands to keep the workflow steady during a flu outbreak, we are here to help. By letting us handle the back-fill, you can confidently encourage your permanent staff to recover at home, knowing your production won't miss a beat.



Don't let the winter season slow you down. Contact Core Personnel today to learn how we can support your staffing needs all winter long!