Running a Small Business During Flu Season

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Managing a small business can be challenging even under ideal conditions, and the economic and weather unpredictability of the last several years have been far from ideal.  The latest challenge we face is an unusually active flu season.  Here are a few tips that can help your business run smoothly during flu season:

  • Provide hand sanitizer and encourage employees to use it frequently, especially after sneezing or coughing.

  • Post information on vaccination locations and allow time off for flu shots.  Consider compensating employees for any reasonable costs incurred.

  • Evaluate your sick leave policy; Make sure sick employees stay home without feeling penalized.

  • Plan ahead for absent employees, and determine how their roles will be filled.  Cross-train employees as needed.

  • Keep common areas such as kitchens and break rooms clean.  Phones and computers can be germ hot-spots, and should be sanitized regularly.

  • Encourage healthy habits and lead by example. When we are physically active, find ways to reduce our stress, drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods, get adequate rest, and avoid consumption of unhealthy substances such as alcohol & tobacco, we are much more likely to remain healthy even when those around us are ill.

  • Inform employees of best-practices for preventing the flu, such as those on the CDC website.

Do you have another tip that should be on this list?  Let us know in the comments below.


Dave Tittle