Picture this cold November morning Warehouse heaters trying their best half the team sniffly ops goes let's sort flu jabs email flies out free flu jab vouchers available and then the replies land I'm allergic I'm pregnant my faith says no I'll do it but I'm not handing over my medical details suddenly our nice perk feels like a rule helpful or a bit heavy handed that's today welcome Hello you lovely lot I'm Kate this is Buzzing About HR topic flu jabs at work Perk, pressure or PR problem UK only plain English if you've got a live situation get help early. Right, brew in hand, let's crack on. Why this matters? Flu can flatten a rotor in a week. You start Monday with a full crew. By Friday you're playing staffing Tetris. So offering jabs makes sense. It's practical. It's visible. It says we care. But the minute we demand proof, shuffle people off good shifts. Or treat jabbed like VIPs. We've moved from caring to controlling. That's where trouble starts. Benefits vs headaches. Do it well and you get fewer absences, karma rotors, a simple well-being win. Do it badly and you get privacy rows. Us and them vibes. Grievances you didn't need. Plus a full inbox and a mild migraine. The basics. No jargon. Health and safety first. Use sensible measures. A jab can be one of them, not the only one. Equality matters. One size rules can hit some people harder. Think religion or belief. Think pregnancy. Think disability or medical reasons. Push too hard and you'll get pushback. Data protection, vaccination status is health information. Keep it minimal. Keep it private. Don't store it forever and please don't rely on consent at work. It's rarely truly free. Bottom line keep it voluntary. Offer alternatives be kind to the data how to roll it out without drama. Start with purpose what problem are you actually solving? Absence spikes client exposure? Write one short note to yourself. Keep it. Make it voluntary. Say it clearly your choice no penalties, no side eye. Pick how you'll do it. Vouchers via pharmacies work well. On-site clinic if you're big enough. Either way give paid time to go privacy by design. Don't collect certificates. Track the minimum voucher offered voucher used lock the list down delete it after flu season. Inclusive comms explain the offer in human words signpost allergy pregnancy and faith questions private chats only no canteen quizzes train managers no jab shaming no rotor nudges no guessing who did what measure gently look at uptake as a percentage review absence after the season. Then decide if it's worth repeating the slightly spicy take employer paid flu jabs can be a lovely perk. Turn it into pressure and it starts to feel like health policing so perk or policing which story are you telling? Pick perk your culture will thank you Mini dramas and fixes the shift nudge manager no jab no Saturday shift fix remove the penalty Rotus are about skills and availability not medical status. The spreadsheet of secrets someone uploads a list vaccinated slash not fix swap it for a simple voucher tally no names on walls limited access auto delete date set the poster that overshot comms protect the team no excuses fix try this instead flu jabs available if you want one questions private chat alternatives in place quick Q and A. Can we make it mandatory? In most workplaces no Keep it voluntary and proportionate can we ask for proof you can but better not use a simple voucher used tick no certificate on file can we move non-jabbed off busy shifts? Risky looks like a penalty stick to neutral rotor rules What should our data note say? Why you're doing this what tiny bit of info you'll record? Who can see it? When you'll delete it will jabs really cut absence? Often yes especially in customer facing or close contact roles still do the basics hygiene ventilation sensible sickness reporting how do we avoid us and them keep it optional no naming and shaming positive private practical what do we say to people who aren't sure point to NHS guidance their GP or a pharmacist give them time no pressure vouchers your options we've got flu jab vouchers this season you can buy them for your team you can share the cost with staff or you can offer them to buy cheaper than most pharmacies and supermarkets. Check the link in the show notes to find out more simple setup easy tracking no medical certificates needed outro here's the landing offer jabs as a choice you'll cut absence and show you care you'll spark privacy rows and wobble your culture lead with care design for choice mind the data if you'd like the one page rollout checklist and a manager briefing it's in the show notes. And don't forget those voucher options buy for the team share the cost or pass on a cheaper than the high street deal. Links in the show notes I'm Kate. This is Buzzing About HR Kettleon. Standards up see you next time