According to the National Safety Council, the flu can decrease a company's productiveness due to increased worker absences. Those at greatest risk for catching the flu are older workers and those who suffer from chronic health conditions. Although taking preventative measures in the workplace may seem costly, it may be far less expensive than the cost of paying sick leave benefits, and of lost productivity due to worker absenteeism.
How to Prevent the Flu in the Workplace
Step 1
Provide a vaccine clinic. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), one of the best ways employers can prevent flu among employees is to provide a work site flu vaccine clinic. Along with the typical flu vaccine which protects employees against the seasonal flu, employers should also offer pneumococcal vaccine. The NSC states that pneumonia is a serious complication of both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the swine flu. In addition, the H1N1 vaccine should be offered.
Step 2
Promote hand washing. Hand washing is the single most important step you can take to prevent the spread of any infection. Post fliers with proper hand washing techniques, and send an e-mail about it to office employees. Begin with the importance of washing your hands for 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song. Stress the importance of using a clean paper towel to turn off the faucets to avoid catching germs, and either an air dryer or clean paper towel to dry.
Step 3
Provide each employee with a bottle of an alcohol-gel hand sanitizer and encourage them to use it after coming into contact with public use items such as copy machines, coffee pots, doorknobs, microwaves, elevator buttons or public phones, or after shaking someone's hand.
Step 4
Provide cleaning supplies. Antibacterial wipes are particularly helpful when it comes to battling the flu in your workplace. Encourage your employees to wipe down their work area on a weekly, if not daily, basis. The items they should concentrate on are phones, computers, copier machines and counter tops. The break room is one area that should be focused on as well, as it is the area most of your employees gather in most frequently.
Step 5
Educate your employees on how to prevent the spread of the flu in the workplace. State the importance of not touching your face, eyes or mouth; these are the areas where germs are waiting for easy transport. Also, they should avoid contact with any co-workers who are showing symptoms of illness.
Step 6
Encourage calling in sick. This may go against the workplace grain, but it is better for an employee to stay home, rest and isolate her germs, rather than drag herself to work, become more ill and spread it to more of your employees.
