Seasonal Flu - Workplace

Workplaces

Right now, it's business as usual for workplaces. To prepare for the upcoming flu season, you should take the usual seasonal infection control practices.

What precautions should you and your employees take?

Everyone is encouraged to follow the usual infection control precautions to stay healthy and reduce the risk of illness. To reduce the risk of illness:

Wash your hands well and often. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains between 60-90 per cent alcohol
Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue, not your hand. Dispose of tissues immediately.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way
Stay home when you are ill and limit your contact with others
Clean and disinfect shared surfaces

Employers can help to encourage infection control practices by providing information to employees, promote prevention through posters and being prepared with plans for potential staff absences. It is good practice to regularly review and familiarize staff with business continuity and pandemic plans.

Should my staff come to work if they are ill?

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms is advised to stay home; to help them get better and to reduce others from getting the flu. It is good to review your and your family's health daily. It is also important for businesses to be ready for a potential of increased absences.

How long should an ill person stay home?

If you are ill, stay home until there is no fever and you are feeling better.

Where does my staff fit into the seasonal flu vaccine sequence?

Check with your employer - a dedicated flu shot clinic may be available in your workplace. Staff can also get their seasonal flu shot from their Health Professional.

York Region Community and Health Services Department, along with other public health units, provincial and federal authorities, continues to monitor and respond to flu virus activity. To contact us, please call our Health Connection Line at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.

Visit www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/publichealth/flu/wpl/clinic.aspx for information outlining the approved nursing agencies for employer clinics.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are offering posters to support workplace flu clinics. Visit Service Ontario Publications for more information.

Last update: October 2011

Note � This information is based on the best evidence available. As more information becomes available, this information will be updated.