Cure For The Common Cold - Could This Be The End Of The Sick Day?

Reports in today's news about a breakthrough in the quest to find a cure for the common cold could well be a boost for pharmaceutical companies and the economy as a whole, with businesses likely to lose fewer staff due to illness.

Scientists have apparently found a new way of tackling infections that means the common cold could be stopped in its tracks by a simple nasal spray.

This is great news for businesses looking to cut the amount of sick days and increase productivity, but this could well be the end of a much loved British institution.

It was our source of support whenever there were World Cup games in the afternoon and provided a vital excuse on those Monday mornings when the weekend was still well and truly taking its toll, but now the sick day may finally have to take its final bow.

Every manager will be familiar with the phone call. Usually coming two minutes after the start of an employee's shift, the phone would ring and the sound of a croaky voice and exaggerated coughing would greet the person on the other end of the phone, and would usually coincide with England's must win game or the first day back after a stag weekend.

Yes, the trusty common cold could get you out of any potentially tough day with just a clothes peg on the nose and a fake cough at the opportune moment, but now it would appear those days have gone.

The common cold has been THE major source of sick day excuses. Serious enough to need a day in bed but not serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctors and a sick note, the cold was perfect for that extra day off. Not any more it would seem.

The magic potion will not be available for another few years as more tests have to be carried out, so there will still be some Monday morning respite for the time being. It may even give you enough time to catch England's Euro 2012 exploits.

And for managers who are looking to reduce the amount of time employees take off sick, there are ways to limit the numbers of "sick days" taken by staff who are fit for work.

Incentives and motivational tools such as business gifts can be an effective way of inspiring employees, giving them an added reason to come to work. If one day will make the difference between them achieving their target and getting a reward then it will be less likely that staff will choose to take the time off. By awarding business gifts it also gives employees something to aim for and achieve which not only focuses their efforts but makes them feel rewarded for the work they have done.

Staff who feel rewarded for their efforts are more likely to work to the same high level in order to achieve future incentives so using business gifts is a tried and tested way of improving motivation and getting absence levels down.

Until the cure for the common cold becomes available and the sick day is no more, business gifts can be an effective way of ensuring staff are motivated and incentivised, keeping absences at a minimum.