01/ 10/ 2006
by Shannon McRae
Beverly Murray's assistant went home early recently. Instead of feeling stressed or annoyed, Murray was ecstatic. "Sick people are no fun and are not productive," says Murray, owner of the Cary, N.C.-based R+M (http://www.rmagency.com), a brand development agency. "Besides, sick people get us all sick, and we really can't afford to have people fall out."
Even though nightly news stories warn of the impending flu season, small-business owners might not have considered how the sniffles can have trickle-down effects on their bottom lines. But that’s not a healthy attitude, Murray says.
Murray thinks about health constantly: R+M works with clients in the life sciences and health-care industries. Since starting her business 13 years ago, Murray has cultivated healthy living habits among her employees. Sickness is even addressed in the employee manual: Germ carriers are encouraged to stay home.
"Simply put, the answer isn't placing orange juice in the refrigerator or anti-bacterial wipes at every counter. You need a culture that is positive, that cares about employees," Murray says.
Employees' well-being is just one of Murray's reasons for being concerned about sickness. A sick staff infects a small business' bottom line, perhaps disproportionately to large businesses. Most small-business employees handle multiple responsibilities and work in close environments.
Disinfect your office
How Murray keeps her employees healthy:
1. Leave Policy. R+M employees accrue separate sick and vacation days each month. "A lot of businesses lump it all together, but the problem is that employees won't use vacation time when they're sick," Murray says.
2. Open Workflow. Information doesn't reside with one person. If a team member is out, others can quickly access what's needed for work. "We share the same passwords for our voicemail and e-mail," Murray says. Privacy is protected on the honor system. "We all have a 'personal' folder in our e-mail, and we respect each other's privacy."
3. Live Well. The flu isn't the only danger. Murray educates employees through periodic lunch-and-learn programs about various health issues, such as the effects of caffeine and the importance of a good night's rest. "We're continually educating ourselves on ways to improve."
