Calgary coughs up $53K for employee flu kits, saying reduced sick time should offset costs

The City of Calgary is arming its workforce with a flu-fighting kit, to help protect staff and the public from the potentially deadly influenza virus, but some people are questioning whether the cost is worth it.

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Tom Sampson, head of Calgary Emergency Management Agency, itemizes the contents of a new flu-fighting kit being given to about 15,000 city workers.

"It's got some sanitizer inside it," among other things, Sampson explains.

Along with hand sanitizer, there's a package of tissues, some sanitizing wipes as well as information on the influenza virus and vaccine.

Sampson says it's meant to get people's attention.

"Certainly the City of Calgary supplies hand wipes and they supply sanitizer and Kleenex to each work station but this is about prompting them a little more, like, 'Hey, take responsibility for yourself, it's a good thing," he said.

At $3.55 per kit, that comes to a total cost of roughly $53,250.

Sampson says it makes good economic sense because it should cut down on sick days.

But some Calgarians, like downtown hotel worker Kristen Aebig, think it's a waste of money.

"At the end of the day, we're adults so I think we should be able to bring your own sanitizer and Kleenex," Aebig said.

"So I think it's unnecessary."

Sampson says the city will evaluate the program to decide whether to run it again next year.

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