Illnesses such as colds, flu, stomach upsets, and headaches are the most common cause of short-term employee absences. The spread of these illnesses manifests itself in employee lost work days—absenteeism—which is a substantial cost to businesses, leading to an average number of sick days per employee per year of 7.7 days in the U.S. That health-related lost productive time (LPT) costs employers US$225.8 billion per year. In addition to these direct costs, unplanned absences caused indirect costs due to a 54 percent decrease in productivity/output and a 39 percent drop in sales/customer service.

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Business Planning and Resources

• ISSA Cleaning For Infection Control Cold and Flu Guide (ISSA)
• Cleaning Industry Research Institute: Cleaning to Reduce the Risk of H1N1 Virus
• Flu Resources for Business (CDC)
• Pandemic Preparedness Tools (CDC)
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for and Influenza Pandemic (OSHA)
• Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist (CDC)
• Pandemic Influenza (OSHA)
• Preparing Small Business Workplaces for Influenza Pandemic (PowerPoint)
• Key Elements of a Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan (Part 1) (PowerPoint)
• Key Elements of a Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan (Part 2) (PowerPoint)

Guidance for Employers

• Employer Guidance: Reducing Workers’ Exposure to Seasonal Flu Virus (OSHA)
• What Employers Can Do to Protect Workers from Pandemic Influenza (OSHA)
• US Department of Labor: Guidance for Protecting Employees Against Avian Flu (OSHA)

Guidance for Employees

• Worker Guidance: Precautions for All Workers During Flu Season (OSHA)
• How to Protect Yourself in the Workplace During a Pandemic (OSHA)

Guidance for Schools

• How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu (CDC)
• Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools (CDC)
• Indoor Air Quality for Schools (OSHA)

Guidance for Health Care Facilities

• Infection Control in Health Care Facilities: Seasonal Flu (CDC)
• Guidelines for Environmental Control in Health Care Facilities (CDC)
• Information for Health Professionals (CDC)
• Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings (CDC)
• Interim Guidance for Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings (CDC)
• Interim Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care and Post-Acute Care Facilities (CDC)
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Employers (OSHA)
• FAQ on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers (OSHA)
• Worker Guidance: Precautions for Healthcare Workers during Flu Season (OSHA)
• Employer Guidance: Reducing Healthcare Workers’ Exposures to Seasonal Flu Virus (OSHA)