Fighting the Flu can be a big disruption for business. Employees who are sick may need to take time off to recover and should they choose to stay and work in the office— may not be as productive when it comes to getting their work done. In addition, symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and fever can spread germs to healthy employees, thus creating a chain reaction that could impact your business.
The single best way to prevent the seasonal flu is to make sure you receive a flu vaccine each and every year no matter what age you are, but especially if you are older. But good health habits such as the ones listed below could help to stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu from infecting you and the rest of your workplace.
Tips for Fighting Flu
Everyday preventive actions that can help prevent flu and the spread of germs in the workplace include:
- Covering Your Mouth and Nose
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing is crucial in the fight against the spread of germs. Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through the coughing, sneezing, or even talking to someone with the flu. - Avoiding Touching Your Eyes, Nose, or Mouth
Flu viruses also may spread when people touch something with flu virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose. It is important to routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones, to help remove germs and stop them from spreading to others. - Washing Your Hands
Washing your hands often will also help to protect you from germs. Additionally, make sure your workplace has an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and disposable wipes. - Stay Home When Sick
When sick, employees should be encouraged to stay home from work whenever possible in order to help prevent others to their germs. If there is only one employee who performs a particular task, consider training others so that coverage is available should that employee need to leave work early, or stay home due to illness. - Practice Good Health Habits
The best offense is a good defense. Making sure to get plenty of sleep, maintain physical activity, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food can help to keep your body in optimum condition and prevent sicknesses before they even start.
Resources and Printable Materials for Promoting Good Health Habits
To help businesses, employers, and their employees better learn about strategies for preventing flu, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following toolkit, flyers, posters, and other materials:
- Make It Your Business To Fight The Flu: A Toolkit for Businesses and Employers
- Business/Employers Influenza Toolkit Podcast
This podcast provides information about recommended strategies to help businesses and employers promote the 2012–2013 seasonal flu vaccine. - Recommended Strategies for Businesses and Employers
Learn what two strategies are most recommended to businesses and employees this flu season. - Promoting Seasonal Flu Vaccination: A Checklist for Businesses and Employers
- Flu Vaccine Clinic Here!
Host a flu vaccine clinic in the workplace and use this flyer—complete with fillable text boxes so you can add the location, date, and time of your flu vaccine clinic. - You Need a Flu Vaccine
Encourage employees to get vaccinated at locations in their communities. Navigate to the Flu Vaccine Finder website to find locations offering flu vaccine and then update the flyer and post. - Note to Self
Share this flyer with employees to encourage flu vaccination. Consider posting this in the workplace, copy and place in mailboxes, or include in pay statements or newsletters. - Note to Employers
Use this flyer with other workplace managers to kick-off discussions about flu vaccination planning. - Free Web Tools
Promote flu vaccinations using web technology:
- Fight the Flu Window or Mirror Cling
Post on business windows and restroom mirrors. - Cover Your Cough
- Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work & School
- Everyday Preventive Actions That Can Help Fight Germs, Like Flu
- How to Clean and Disinfect Schools to Help Slow the Spread of Flu
Remember, your seasonal flu shot is typically covered in your health benefits if given by your doctor.
