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Supporting employees with hay fever during summer
Published 24 June 2024
If a warning about a ‘pollen bomb’ did not fill you with fear and dread, the chances are you are not a hay fever sufferer anxious about the impact it could have on your working life.
The common allergy can be incredibly uncomfortable, disrupting and troublesome for any employee in any profession.
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a condition caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, the type of fine powder released by various plants and trees [1] cited 24.6.24
The forecast for high levels of pollen in parts of the UK is likely to exacerbate the symptoms and bring misery for many hay fever sufferers.
The Met Office issued a warning that the pollen count will be very high in England over a five-day period ending 26 June [2] cited 24.6.24
During that time, and in fact at any time in the coming summer months when the pollen count could be high, employees with hay fever will be expected to attend work, perform their duties and continue as normal.
But the symptoms of the allergy can cause physical discomfort, fatigue and irritability and inevitably harm how a worker performs at work.
Untreated hay fever symptoms can impair cognitive function, concentration, and decision-making abilities.
Employees may struggle to focus on tasks, leading to decreased productivity and an increased likelihood of errors.
For job tasks that require clear vision and concentration hay fever symptoms can compromise an employee’s ability to perform such tasks safely.
Research published in 2020 reported that around 49 per cent of people quizzed reported suffering with hay fever symptoms [3] cited 24.6.24
If you are one of the lucky ones, and you do not have hay fever, you can be forgiven for not fully understanding the effect of it.
Perhaps the best way to try to help you to understand how maddening it can be, and how it affects the sufferer, is:
- Imagine having sudden, uncontrollable sneezing fits, often triggered by something as innocent as a flower or tree pollen.
- Think how you would feel if your nose was constantly itchy, and you are reaching for tissues all day to wipe it.
- Think of eyes that feel like they are on fire—itchy, red, and teary.
- Now imagine that itchiness extending to your throat, mouth, and even your ears.
- Envisage temporarily losing your sense of smell.
- Or the pressure around your forehead and the sides of your head feeling like a persistent headache.
The symptoms can last for weeks or even months, unlike a common cold that will usually go away in a week or two.
So, the next time a colleague mentions hay fever, empathise with their sneezes and itchy eyes - they are dealing with more than just seasonal allergies.
The high pollen count can also cause serious health problems for employees with other medical conditions.
Asthma + Lung UK’s Life with a Lung Condition survey 2023 showed that 47.1 per cent (4695 out of 9960) of people with asthma and 27.4 per cent (1304 out of 4759) with COPD are triggered by pollen [4] cited 24.6.25 . It also found that pollen was a trigger for 38.4 per cent of all people with lung conditions.
With the summer months approaching many employees will look forward to warmer weather and longer days, but spare a thought for those who may not experience the same excitement.
It is the time of year when pollen counts are at their highest, and those sneezes and itchy eyes can be particularly troublesome and uncomfortable.
For employers, it is essential to recognise the impact hay fever can have on employees’ well-being and productivity, and to take proactive steps to support them.
Understanding hay fever
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grass, and weeds.
In the UK, the hay fever season is typically divided into three main periods [5] cited 24.6.24
Tree pollen occurs first, typically from late March to mid-May, and affects around 25 per cent of people.
Most people are allergic to grass pollen (which actually has two peaks) and the season lasts from mid-May until July.
Weed pollen can be released at any time but the season typically covers the end of June to September.
However, dependent upon where you live in the UK, the hay fever season will start at different times.
For example, there’s a later start and shorter season in the north of the UK, where generally there is less pollen. Urban areas have lower counts than the countryside, and places inland have higher counts than around the coast.
Symptoms can vary in severity but often include persistent sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, and fatigue
For some, the symptoms can be severe enough to affect daily activities and work performance.
The impact of hay fever on the workplace
An employee suffering from hay fever can struggle during the summer months and may experience a decrease in productivity and increased absenteeism.
They can sometimes have difficulty concentrating as a result of the symptoms.
As a knock-on effect, the physical discomfort and fatigue associated with hay fever can lead to a loss of motivation and engagement at work.
In some severe cases, hay fever can also trigger asthma symptoms and create an additional health risk.
It does mean that it is in the best interest of employers to work to create a supportive environment for employees affected by hay fever.
Supportive steps employers can take
There are some practical measures that can be taken in order to reduce pollen exposure inside any workplace. Here is a 10-step guide:
- Controlling air quality can be done by ensuring air conditioning units are fitted with filters that trap pollen. Checking, cleaning and maintaining the system can also help to make sure the indoor air quality is high.
- Making sure that windows and doors are closed during peak pollen times can help to stop pollen from entering the building. When it is hot good ventilation is necessary and consideration should be given to using air purifiers where practicable.
- Office plants serve multiple purposes, but avoid having flowering plants inside the office, as they can contribute to pollen levels.
- Employers should be flexible to allow employees to best manage their hay fever symptoms. For example, there are many benefits to working from home and allowing staff to do so, where possible, during peak pollen periods can help them avoid commuting and reduce exposure to outdoor pollen.
- Flexibility around working hours can also be extremely helpful. Allowing employees to start earlier or later in the day when pollen levels are lower can be hugely beneficial.
- Educating employees about hay fever and how to manage symptoms can be advantageous. It can include providing staff with information on the best practices for reducing exposure to pollen, such as monitoring daily pollen counts and using over-the-counter antihistamines.
- Meaningful support and understanding from an employer can make a positive difference. Be considerate and flexible with sick leave policies for employees who may suffer with severe hay fever symptoms.
- Sufferers are affected differently by the allergy so being prepared to tailor support to each particular case will ensure any support provided is the most effective.
- Make reasonable adjustments to an employee’s workspace, such as relocating their desk away from windows or ensuring they are not seated near air vents that could circulate pollen.
- And promoting healthy habits can help to lessen the effects of hay fever. Encourage staying hydrated as it can help alleviate some hay fever symptoms; offer regular breaks and provide a comfortable space where employees can rest if needed; and advise employees to wash their hands and face regularly to remove pollen and to change clothes if they have been outside for an extended period.
Finally
Supporting employees who suffer from hay fever is not only a compassionate approach but also a practical one that can help to ensure they remain productive and able to perform at their best in difficult conditions.
In taking steps to create an allergy-friendly work environment, offering flexible work arrangements, educating employees, implementing supportive policies, providing personalised support, and promoting healthy habits, an employer can help to reduce the disruptive impact of hay fever on its employees.
It is a proactive approach that can lead to improved employee well-being and overall workplace morale, ensuring that all staff can enjoy the summer months to the fullest.
