Employers play a vital role in preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus and Better Business Bureau of central and northern Alberta offers the following advice to bolster the workplace against the threat of flu this winter.
Where ever people congregate, such as the workplace, become hot spots for spreading the flu virus; employers can take a few easy steps to significantly diminish the risk of spreading the virus around the office. These will help keep employees healthy and the business operating through a tough flu season.
BBB offers the following advice to business owners on how to prepare for the upcoming flu season and a potential H1N1 flu outbreak:
Encourage employees who are feeling sick to stay home. Alberta Health Services strongly recommends that employees who have flu-like symptoms should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever. This will reduce the risk of spreading viruses to other employees.
Employers can encourage employees to stay home by allowing flexible leave or alternate work schedules to facilitate employees taking care of their own health and that of their families. Alberta Health Services also recommends not requiring a doctor’s note for employees with flu-like symptoms.
Remind employees of habits for good hygiene. Good hygiene will greatly help prevent the spread of germs and viruses throughout the office. Alberta Health Services encourages employers to offer education on hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes in an easy-to-understand format and in appropriate languages. Also consider providing hand sanitizer, no-touch trash cans, and tissues.
Alberta Health Services also recommends that employers encourage staff to get vaccinated for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus.
Prepare a business continuation plan. Alberta Health Services says “Business continuity means ensuring that essential business functions can survive a natural disaster, technological failure, human error or other disruptions”. They suggest preparing an influenza pandemic plan in order to maintain business continuity.
For more advice on preparing your business for the flu season, visit Alberta Health Services Information for Businesses webpage. At this site you can also view their Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Updates, as well as other relevant information for your business and employees.