Flu Preparedness for Businesses

Every year, 5 to 20% of the population gets the seasonal flu, and employers lose an estimated $10 billion due to lost productivity, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). This year we have the added concern of the H1N1(swine flu) virus. The Centers for Disease Control is preparing for an early flu season and expects both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to circulate, causing illness, hospital stays and deaths. 

In anticipation of a busy flu season, here are some things you and your employees can do to limit sickness and spread of the viruses in the workplace.

Encourage vaccinations. The seasonal flu vaccine will be available prior to the H1N1 vaccine. These vaccines are not interchangeable and only protect against the virus for which they were developed.

Practice good health habits. Remind employees to cover their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing; to wash their hands often; and to avoid touching their eyes, noses or mouths, especially after touching possibly contaminated objects or surfaces. And disinfect shared equipment often.

Put helpers in place. Consider supplying alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers for situations when soap and water are not available. If your workplace has a kitchen stocked with community snacks, provide serving utensils or request that employees pour out pretzels and other munchies rather than scoop them out with their hands.

Work out the work schedule. Be flexible during flu season; you’re going to have sick employees, and they should stay home rather than come in and create even more sick employees. Have a contingency plan to meet deadlines and cover shifts in the event of higher-than-normal absenteeism.

Tell employees to stay home if they’re sick. Employees should check with their health care providers if they suspect the flu; prescription drugs are available to ease symptoms and shorten their duration. Employees should also contact their health care providers if a physician’s note is required for them to be excused from work.

Note: It can be hard to tell whether an illness is a cold or the flu. Typical cold symptoms include stuffy nose, sore throat and sneezing; typical flu symptoms include fatigue, fever (usually high), headache, major aches and pains, and coughing. Flu symptoms in general are more severe.

Follow public health advice. Social distancing measures such as crowd avoidance and school closures can help dampen the spread of disease.

Promote prevention and self-care. A widespread outbreak of illness, whether it be seasonal flu, swine flu or another infection has the potential to cause disruptions in the workplace, schools and in essential services. Get our new flu prevention starter kit.

Visit flu.gov for more information.