Influenza in the workplace

Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza spreads easily for person to person and while it is mild in most cases – and people will make a rapid and full recovery - it can be severe in some.

Employers can minimise the spread of influenza in the workplace by encouraging staff with flu-like-symptoms to remain away from work till symptoms have passed, and by promoting simple hygiene measures in the workplace.

Staff with influenza like symptoms who come to work using medicines that mask the infection - by suppressing the symptoms of fever or cough with medication such as paracetamol or pseudoephridrine, are still infectious and may pass the virus to other staff and customers.

It is recommended that workplaces provide hand and respiratory hygiene materials, including disposable tissues, plastic-lined rubbish bins, soap and hand washing facilities and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.


Minimising the impact on your business

The Australian Government has developed the Being Prepared for an Influenza Pandemic – a Kit for Small Business Booklet to help businesses understand what a pandemic is, the impact a pandemic might have on your business, and how important it is to have a business pandemic plan in place.

The booklet includes details on 10 steps you can take to be better prepared for a pandemic:
  1. Identify your business’ core people and skills.
  2. Consider the effects of supply shortages on operations.
  3. Plan for staff absences.
  4. Consider human resource issues.
  5. Decide if your business will stay open or close in a pandemic.
  6. Encourage good personal hygiene practice.
  7. Understand social distancing measures.
  8. Communicate your plans to your staff and customers.
  9. Look at the financial implications.
  10. Test your plan and know when to use it.

The Australian Government has downloadable posters to help you promote workplace hygiene available as follows:

More detail on www.healthemergency.gov.au :