Cold and flu season is a challenge for employers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and March and can last as late as May. There are some basic precautions that can protect your workers during the flu season.
Offer onsite vaccination
While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will circulate the most this season. There are several flu vaccine options available. Clinic, pharmacies and community vaccinators can be contracted to provide seasonal flu vaccination services on-site. If that is not an option allow for employees to take an hour or two to seek flu vaccinations. Display posters about the flu vaccination in break rooms, cafeterias, and other high traffic areas with locations in the community that offer seasonal flu vaccinations. Encourage employees to get their families seasonal flu vaccines also.
Provide disinfecting supplies
A person can get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching their own mouth or nose. Workers, visitors, and clients should have easy access to supplies such as “no touch” wastebaskets for used tissues, alcohol-based hand rubs, disposable towels, and soap for washing hands. Put these supplies in plain sight in multiple locations throughout the office and close to entrances and exits.
Clean frequently touch surfaces
Viruses on surfaces like sink faucets and door handles can spread rapidly, especially in public places such as offices. Frequently clean all commonly touched work surfaces, work areas, and equipment. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to clean their work spaces and surfaces and to keep work areas clean.
Post reminders
Display notices within the office to promote proactive cold and flu prevention. The CDC has Cover your cough posters on cough etiquette techniques to limit the spread of germs. Other great reminders include signs reminding employees to washing hands frequently, routinely cleaning of community surfaces and disinfecting work stations.
Reduce the spread
Encourage employees who have flu-like symptoms to take time off of work until they are better, to reduce spreading the virus to other employees. Flu suffers can infect others one day before symptoms start to develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick themselves. CDC says people with the flu can spread it to others up to about six feet away, mainly by droplets made when they cough, sneeze or talk. The CDC recommends that workers who have a fever and respiratory symptoms stay at home at least 24 hours after their fever ends (100 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), without the use of medication. Other symptoms of the flu could include a runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Allow work from home
Prepare telecommuting options for contagious employees. Most employees can work a little bit from home. Ask the employee what sounds reasonable depending on their condition. This insures employs have the ability to avoid spreading contagious flu and reduce more workplace absences due to illness.
The cold-and-flu season poses a threat to company’s productivity and can cause losses due to these seasonal illnesses. Your office can be a breeding ground for germs. Keeping employees healthy and productive through the flu season requires proactive prevention.