FIGHTING INFLUENZA IN THE WORKPLACE

P R E V E N TAT I V E M EA S U R ES F O R I N F LU E N Z A I N T H E WO R K P L AC E

Jordan Gray, Shannon McCourt, Lisa Priestman, Demi Boyle FABRIKAM

INTRODUCTION
& PURPOSE OF
RESEARCH

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 PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
Assignment Overview

• Our supervisor asked us to research common treatable illnesses that affects the workplace

• We chose influenza as our common treatable illness

• Everyone has experienced or heard of the flu at least once in their lifetime

• We were tasked to provide viable, effective options to reduce/prevent influenza in our workplace

• Our three options chosen minimize exposure to the flu viruses in the workplace

• These options would effect of the flu on productivity and days lost from work

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 INFLUENZA
Some Common Facts

• Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease

• Influenza is commonly mistaken for the common cold, but it is much worse

• Four types of influenza: A, B, C and D

• A and B cause the seasonal flu and are routinely spread

• Influenza A is the most harmful and can cause severe disease, it is the main source of flu pandemics

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 INFLUENZA
Continued

• The office is an easy place for germs to spread

• People are advised to stay home 7-10 days after infection to avoid passing it on to co-workers

• The contagious period for the flu begins before symptoms even appear

• The contagious period lasts 5 days after symptoms initially appear

• Often, people come back to work too early thinking they are better when they are still contagious, this
causes more workers to become sick and halts productivity

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EMPLOYER
OPTIONS FOR
INFLUENZA
PREVENTION

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 EMPLOYER OPTIONS FOR FLU PREVENTION
Three Options for Employer

We have provided three viable options for our employer:

1. Workplace flu vaccination clinics

2. Flu prevention education programs

3. Flu kits and hand sanitation stations

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 WORKPLACE FLU
VACCINATION CLINICS
• Vaccinations are very effective in preventing the flu
• The clinic comes to the workplace so it is convenient
for both the employer and employees
• The clinic provides all the supplies necessary for one
cost
• The clinic educates everyone in the office beforehand
on the benefits of vaccinations, workers are most likely
to participate and get the shot after they are educated
• Registered nurses are hired by the clinic to set up the
designated area and provide the vaccination shots and
supplies
• Employees have the opportunity to go to the clinic on
their break

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 WORKPLACE FLU VACCINATION CLINICS
Continued

• The standard flu shot is free at the doctors office or participating pharmacies in Ontario

• There is a cost to have an organization to set up a workplace flu clinic

• This cost can be fully paid for by the employer with no extra fee for the employee

• Employees could be encouraged to take advantage of the convenience instead of taking their own
personal time

• Quick and convenient for both employer and employee

• Cost varies based on number of employee confirmed, the nurses time, medical supplies, and
administrative costs of setting up

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 WORKPLACE FLU VACCINATION CLINICS
Cost for Services Chart

Number of Participants Price Per Shot Grouped Example

1-40 $550 flat rate

41-99 $12 per dose $600 for 50 employees

100+ $11 per dose $1100 for 100 employees

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FLU PREVENTION
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Main idea is to hire a speaker to come in to the
workplace and present to the employees. It will
provide information about the flu and how to prevent
and minimize it.
Presentation would include information on:
• Where to receive the flu shot
• What the flu is
• How the flu is spread
• Symptoms and how it affects the body
• How to prevent the flu
• What to do if you are infected with the flu

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 FLU PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM
Continued

• Effectiveness relies on whether employees use the knowledge and information provided

• Employees would have to get the flu shot outside of the workplace

• Employees are better informed about the flu and preventative measures and the flu shot

• Average cost for a professional speaker is vary from $500 to $1500 based on what the employer is
prepared to pay and the speaker’s experience

• A speaker could be a doctor, registered nurse of a professor

• The program is easily accessible, with only space, and audiovisual equipment being made available by
the employer

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WORKPLACE FLU KITS AND HAND
SANITATION STATIONS
• Most touched areas in the office are germ hotspots
• Transfers germs and viruses easily from one person
to another
• Germs and viruses don’t travel by themselves they
are transferred from person to person
• Workstations and office equipment is often shared
between employees
• Typical office desk carries more germs that items
such as a toilet seat which is cleaned more vigorously
• An office desk has 400 times more bacteria than the
average toilet seat

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 WORKPLACE FLU KITS AND HAND SANITATION STATIONS
Continued
• Flu Kits/Hand Sanitation stations during the flu season

• It is important to have hand sanitation stations • Extremely effective in reducing germs and
near the germ hotspots promoting a clean work environment

• They encourage employees and visitors to clean • Smaller risk of contamination and spread
their hands • Extra cost of reordering supplies on an ongoing
• Provide each employee with a kit for the work basis for the flu kits and sanitation stations
area, which includes • Option to only purchase during the flu season
• The kit encourages employees to keep their work
area clean and minimizes the spread of germs

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 WORKPLACE FLU KITS AND HAND SANITATION STATIONS
Office Area Hotspots
These items are touched multiple times a day by all
employees:

• Office desk surface

• Door handles
• Lunchroom fridge, kettle, coffeemaker, and • Photocopier
vending machine
• Phones
• Lunchroom surfaces
• Office desk items
• Keyboard and mouse
• Elevator buttons
• Office mugs

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 WORKPLACE FLU KITS AND HAND SANITATION STATIONS
Flu Kit Pricing

Recommend Flu Starter Kit Bulk Cost per workstation

from Staples

Kleenex $83.00/48 per case $3.46

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes $7.30/3 per pack $7.30

Hand Sanitizer $46.00/12 per case $3.85

Flu Prevention Pocket Guide $0 $0

Total cost of Starter Kit $14.61

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WORKPLACE FLU KITS AND HAND SANITATION STATIONS
Hand Sanitation Station Pricing

Hand Sanitation Starter Kit Cost

For 1 Hand Sanitation Starter Kit $16.50

For 10 Hand Sanitation Starter Kit $165.00

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COMPARISON

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 WORKPLACE FLU VACCINATION CLINIC
Option 1

• High effectiveness

• Very convenient for employees

• Also provides education on flu prevention and vaccinating

• Vaccines are very effective

• Easy to implement

• Cost to the employer

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 FLU PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM
Option 2

• Provides education on flu prevention and spread of the virus

• Convenient for employees to attend presentations

• Educated employees on symptoms so they can recognize sooner

• Cost varies depending on what employer wished to spend

• Many materials; posters, videos and tip sheets can be obtained free

• Easy to implement

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 WORKPLACE FLU KITS AND HAND SANITATION STATIONS
Option 3

• Convenient

• Encourages employees to keep their workstations clean

• Helps minimize the transfer of germs from one place to another

• Easy to implement

• Ongoing cost and management of supplies

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 COMPARISON TABLE
All Options Compared

Workplace Flu Flu Prevention Workplace Flu Kits

Vaccination Education Program and Hand
Clinic Sanitation Station

Cost $10-$12 per employee Free $14-$15 per employee

Effectiveness High Medium High

Accessibility High Medium High

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CONCLUSION

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 CONCLUSION
Choice from the Three Options

Option 1: Workplace Flu Vaccination Clinic

• The workplace flu clinic provides convenience to employees

• Cost is based on the number of employees participating

• The clinic provides all materials, education and medical supplies

• The administration and registration is provided by the clinic

• The clinic is set up prior to flu season to prevent the spread of the flu before it starts

• Educates employees about the benefits of vaccination

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REFERENCES

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