Employers, public health officials say, can play an important role in preventing the spread of flu, protecting the health of employees and their families, and reducing the loss of productivity and revenue that can come with the seasonal illness.

Get employees vaccinated

According to the CDC, the single best way to prevent employees from getting the flu is to help them get the flu vaccine, which is available either by injection or by nasal spray. The CDC provides a range of resources to help employers fight the flu. The agency's top two recommendations: Host a flu vaccination in the workplace and promote flu vaccination in the community.

Jennifer Heath, director of the Minnesota Department of Health's FluSafe program, notes that by getting vaccinated at work, employees also will protect their families — including very young children and older adults, who are more at risk of getting the flu. In Minnesota, MDH has had excellent results partnering with businesses to set up onsite clinics, she says.

“With working adults, we know they're not routinely seeking medical care,” Heath says. “The key to getting them vaccinated is convenience. And one of the most convenient places to be vaccinated is in the workplace.”

Other strategies for prevention

Stephen Morris, an official with the U.S. Small Business Administration, says there are several steps businesses can take to prepare for flu season. These include:

Identifying a workplace coordinator who can oversee all flu-related issues, including reaching out to local health officials or implementing work protocols during a flu outbreak.

Re-examining leave and telework policies. Managers and employees alike should be up-to-date on policies such as paid sick leave and telecommuting. Workers with sick children or children home during school closures may still be able to contribute if a telework system is in place. Morris also calls for ensuring nonpunitive, flexible policies are in place to help employees affected by flu season.

Identify essential employees and essential business functions, and have an emergency communication plan ready to go. “Make plans to maintain communication and ensure clear work direction with critical personnel and vendors (and even customers) in the event that the supply chain is broken or other unpredictable disruptions occur,” Morris said.

Post signs about flu prevention or host a flu shot clinic. In addition, Morris said, employers should educate workers on the company's flu and pandemic plans.

Prepare business continuity plans.

“Absenteeism or other workplace changes need to be addressed early on so you can maintain business operations,” Morris said, adding that the Small Business Administration website offers tips and resources for businesses.

Stay home!

Although every business wants to be at full strength, personnel-wise, there are obvious downsides to having sick workers spreading germs around the office. Heath notes that in many cases, it's not employers who are the problem, but employees.

“Employees might feel guilty that they're not coming to work, or that they're not getting their work done,” she said.

Heath says an important strategy for reducing the impact of flu is simply encouraging people to take time off if they're ill.

“For the workplace, one of the most important things is having people stay home when they're sick,” she said. “Presenteeism — when people come to work while they're sick — is a huge problem, and it spreads influenza. Helping employees know when they should stay home is pretty important.”

Investing in health education

Jodi Annis, manager of screening services for StayWell, a health engagement solutions company based in St. Paul, Minn., said employers who invest in flu prevention and education are showing a commitment to the health of employees. She added that employers of any size can benefit from strategies to prevent flu.

“In addition to, or in lieu of, providing onsite clinics or vouchers for the flu vaccine, consider posting educational information to remind people to take simple precautions to stop the spread of the flu,” Annis said. “Things like washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, not coughing into your hands, staying home if you are sick — these are all actions that have proven to be helpful against the spread of the flu.”

Like Heath and Morris, Annis stressed communication as an essential part of flu prevention efforts.

“Make sure your flu prevention events are communicated via channels that work for your employee population — email for employees with regular computer and Internet access, or daily newsletters, team meetings or signage for employees who are in the field or not at a desk all day,” she said. “Communications should demonstrate what's in it for the employee, which can help ensure that by the day of your event, everyone who wants a flu shot knows when and where the clinic will be, and they will have made plans to take time away from work to get one.”

Another tool for employers, Heath says, is a state health department's flu surveillance resources, which can alert the public to how severe the flu is in different parts of the state.

“Flu is always tricky; it's very unpredictable,” Heath said. “We have no idea how severe the season is going to be until we start seeing cases. [With surveillance], employers can track what's going on with the flu around the state.”