Small Businesses Must Prep for Flu Season
For small businesses, productivity and operations can be negatively affected by the flu as employees stay home, or are urged to stay home, to limit the threat of spreading flu to others. In order to help reduce the potential spread of the flu virus and maintain business operations, small business owners should develop a comprehensive flu contingency plan before the start of flu season to minimize the impact of illness on their bottom lines.
Below are five elements to consider:
1. Educate employees on steps to help reduce the spread of the flu.
Small businesses should develop a short document that educates employees on how the flu virus is spread and circulate it widely. Below are a few items to include:
- Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets through person-to-person or other close contact.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough to help prevent spreading of the virus.
- If you are around people who are sick, avoid close contact to reduce the chance of getting their illness.
- Keep your hands clean, washing them regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because they are entry points into your body for germs.
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