The Common Cold and Flu
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.
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)
- Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employees (CDC)
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for and Influenza Pandemic (OSHA)
- Leader’s Toolkit: Preparing Small (OSHA)
- Businesses for Pandemic (OSHA)
- Business Planning for Seasonal and Pandemic Flu (CDC)
- 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)
- School Planning: Seasonal Flu (HHS)
- Information for Schools & Childcare Providers (CDC)
- 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)
- Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12) (CDC)
- Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist (CDC)
- Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Institutions of Higher Education (CDC)
- Indoor Air Quality for Schools (OSHA)
Guidance for Health Care Facilities
- Health Professionals: Seasonal Flu (HHS)
- Infection Control in Health Care Facilities: Seasonal Flu (CDC)
- Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Employers (OSHA)
- Guidelines for Environmental Control in Health Care Facilities (CDC)
- Information for Health Professionals (CDC)
- Infection Control in Health Care Facilities (CDC)
- Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel (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)
- Guidelines for Environmental Control in Health 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)
