Businesses should communicate with their employees about infection control measures like handwashing and staying home when sick. Handwashing stations should be easily accessible and well equipped for employees and patrons, and common surfaces should be kept clean. 

Click here to see a video on hand hygiene.

Businesses may want to consider additional measures like keeping distance between work stations, staggering arrival times for employees, or limiting face-to-face meetings if deemed necessary.

Businesses are also strongly encouraged to have a business continuity plan in place. A business continuity plan will help ensure that they can continue their day-to-day business operations in the event of widespread illness and possible interruptions in services that both they and their customers rely on.

It’s important to be prepared for a variety of scenarios: 

• What would you do if anywhere from 15 to 35% of your employees were off sick or caring for a family member?
• How would you manage a sudden increase or decrease in your customer base or consumer demand?
• In an emergency situation, is your company equipped to accommodate a large number of employees working from home or alternate locations? For example, is remote access to the company network available?

These are just a few examples of why it’s so important to have a business continuity plan in place and to promote good hand hygiene practices in the workplace.

Click here for H1N1 fact sheets in other languages.

Tips for Employees:

• Stay at home if you’re sick. This will help reduce the spread of infection. 
• Know what steps your workplace has in place for a pandemic. Find out what role you have in this plan. 
• Know what policies your workplace has for sick leave, or for caring for your family. This will help you plan ahead in case you or a family member becomes sick.
• Have a backup plan for childcare in the event that your child becomes sick or your child’s school is closed.

Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

H1N1: Avoiding the Spread of Infection (Healthful)

Management of H1N1 Flu Virus in the Home (Healthful)

Reduce the Spread of H1N1 - poster

Understanding and Preparing for H1N1: A Presentation by Dr. Paul Roumeliotis (Sept. 2, 2009)

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Pandemic Planning

Checklist for Business Pandemic Planning

FightFlu.ca

H1N1 Information in Other Languages

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: H1N1 Flu Virus

Pregnancy and H1N1 Flu Virus

Public Health Agency of Canada: H1N1 Flu Virus

World Health Organization: Pandemic H1N1 2009