Educating Staff About the Spread of Flu
• Sample comprised of 436 randomly selected
HR professionals.
• Analyzing 436 responses of 2736 emails
sent, 2585 emails were received (response
rate = 17%).
• Survey fielded November 1 – November 7,
2005; presentation generated on November
8, 2005.
• Margin of error is +/- 5%.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
In light of this season's flu vaccine shortage, has your organization taken
formal steps to educate staff about reducing the spread of flu in your
workplace?
70%
62%
60%
50%
40%
34%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Yes
No
Note: Respondents who answered “Not Sure” to this questions were excluded from the results.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
In light of this season's flu vaccine shortage, has your organization taken
formal steps to educate staff about reducing the spread of flu in your
workplace?
Choice
Count
Percentage
Answered
Yes
147
34.0%
No
267
61.8%
Note: Respondents who answered “Not Sure” to this questions were excluded from the results.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your
organization has taken:
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We have arranged to have employees be given the flu vaccine at a low cost. However, there is a shortage in
the vaccine and the dates have been postponed.
We have offered on-site flu shots.
We are having a flu shot clinic for employees and dependents ages 9 and older
Scheduled flu vaccine clinics, posted information on our Intranet about avoiding/minimizing flu.
We have flu vaccines scheduled for our locations in late November. No indication has been received that
there will be a shortage.
Nurse comes to office 1x quarter this fall to administer flu shot
We are working on flu shots being available through work, but are on a waiting list.
paid for flu shot and gave info regarding flu
Posted information about hand washing, staying home if sick, etc.
flu shots and information provided by outside company
sent out questionnaires to employees/ set up a information table outside cafeteria/ advertised for free shots
We are offering flu vaccinations to employees and their spouses on certain days as we have done in the
past.
I work in a Health Care Institution. We offer free flu vaccines to all staff. During the shortage last year, we
offered the vaccine to those providing direct patient care, first. Then the rest of the staff could take
advantage as the vaccine became more available. We also shared vaccine with other health care businesses
in the area. We have an infection control department. They just hosted a "fair" in front of our cafeteria.
Information about reducing the flu was available. If you took a test to validate your knowledge (like 5 quick
questions) you could register to win a prize. We post signs also with ways to reduce the spread of Flu Wash
hands, cover your mouth, wear a mask--we can provide masks to visitors. We also have limited the age of
visitors and asked visitors and employees who are ill not to come to the hospital
While not necessarily taking steps to educate the staff, we are offering free flu shots on site in a week for all
employees. Family members may obtain one also at their own expense.
We have administered the flu vaccine
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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I work in a Health Care Institution. We offer free flu vaccines to all staff. During the shortage last year, we
offered the vaccine to those providing direct patient care, first. Then the rest of the staff could take
advantage as the vaccine became more available. We also shared vaccine with other health care businesses
in the area. We have an infection control department. They just hosted a "fair" in front of our cafeteria.
Information about reducing the flu was available. If you took a test to validate your knowledge (like 5 quick
questions) you could register to win a prize. We post signs also with ways to reduce the spread of Flu Wash
hands, cover your mouth, wear a mask--we can provide masks to visitors. We also have limited the age of
visitors and asked visitors and employees who are ill not to come to the hospital
While not necessarily taking steps to educate the staff, we are offering free flu shots on site in a week for all
employees. Family members may obtain one also at their own expense.
We have administered the flu vaccine
Flyers, verbal reminders to wash hands often etc.
Hand washing techniques, procedure for calling in sick, provides departments with Lysol and antibacterial
gels, etc. Also, placed reminders in company newsletter and email communications.
Sent out an all staff e-mail on prevention of flu.
We're a healthcare organization, so all our employees have an opportunity to be immunized at no charge.
Personal hygiene practices are posted throughout our Clinic.
When I made arrangements for having flu shots given at work they said there wouldn't be a shortage.
Articles on our internal Portal site, subsidized flu shots, pointed references to WebMD (which is also on our
Portal).
Shot availability and options, fliers, email
We are a long term care organization. Since we are in the business of taking care of frail elderly, it is
imperative that we continually re-educate on infection control and use the flu season as one way to do so.
We have in-services for all employees and have posters hung in employee areas throughout our buildings.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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We are still planning on receiving the Flu Vaccination for our Associates. We do have posters up around our
facilities about the importance of washing your hands and covering your mouth.
We have placed on every employee's desk and in our cafeterias bottles of hand sanitizers. We also have a
MD on staff who sent an all users e-mail explaining how using the hand sanitizers is extremely effective in
killing bacteria, thereby deterring the spread of infection. Also, we have an arrangement with Yale
Occupational Health and Safety where by our employees may receive flu shots that our company is going to
pay for. Please keep in mind we are a biotech company engaged in the research and development of novel
antibiotics so we are very aware of how infections spread, multiply and become resistant to the existing
commercial drugs.
no action taken
Offering flu shots from a local heath organization
pamphlets, share links to internet research stories, a "take good care" bag with tissues, purell, vitamin fruit
chews, soup packets, an orange, and with more tips on healthy ways to reduce fever, etc.
We haven't taken any action to "educate" the staff regarding the flu. However, we did offer flu shots to our
employees in our HQ location where 40% of the staff received the flu shot.
Information at wellness fair and supplemental info from our benefits vendors.
Brown bag lunch regarding staying healthy during flu season, posters in lunch rooms and rest rooms.
I have approached ownership and they did not seem very enthused. Thought a vaccination program would
be appropriate along with reminders and lots of disinfectant wipes!
Communications via e-mail.
Payroll stuffers, posters, stickers, education to staff from infection control nurse, optional free flu shots, free
ticket for one meal in dining room if employee receives flu shot, jean day for employees that have taken flu
shot
We are offering a flu vaccination at no cost for employees participating in our health care benefits and at a
small charge to employees not participating in our benefit options.
We have provided information to employees from the CDC on flu shots and flu prevention, including
handouts and links to the CDC's website. Additionally, we have identified two alternatives for flu shots, paid
by the Company, for those who feel they should get the shot due to risk factors.
We are offering flu shots, and with the shots we are distributing printed information on preventing the flu.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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There's been no communication about a shortage. Instead, there's been communication about how to
RECIEVE a flu shot, where to get it and the advantages of. This has been the extent of it so far. In the past
there have been email, Intranet and break-room postings on how to avoid the flu, but haven't seen anything
this year yet. Presently, communication via the Intranet and break-room flyers are only being used, and only
to promote flu shots, not flu prevention.
published CDC and FDA articles in employee newsletter and emails.
Offering flu shots and publicizing information about washing hands, etc.
Healthcare organization regularly stresses infection control. This month focus is on hand washing as well
as keeping employees home if they have infectious disease. We have given one round of flu shots and
expect more vaccine soon.
educational sessions during department meetings and posters in the facility's restrooms. The flu is one of
the subjects covered at a weekly safety discussion.
Our Fire Department will be providing flu shots as well as the Risk Department providing anti-bacterial wipes
for hands and equipment.
Article in newsletter, free flu shots.
We are still hoping to receive vaccine for company paid/sponsored shots next week. In meantime prevention
steps in company newsletter and via email to employees.
none
We have provided pamphlets as paycheck inserts, posted notices on bulletin boards, and scheduled an inhouse vaccination date.
Media blitz and free flu shots for employees.
We annually have infection control training, also put up signs throughout our facility reminding employees
and visitors of steps to take to reduce the spread of germs
system email, offered flu vaccine, directions on hand-washing
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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New Employee Orientation Broadcast e-mail Health and Safety Newsletter Management Meeting Updates
Sent out an email and posted information on our bulletin board to let them know where and when and our
Insurance company has free shots! Also we use Emergen-C from health store which has a massive dose of
Vitamin C and minerals. Stuff works miracles :)
Communications advising people to wash hands & stay at home if ill, stepped-up sanitization in kitchen and
washroom areas; formal planning for remote work in pandemic scenarios
newsletter articles for healthy living and healthy workplace; hand washing info, etc. We are also able to offer
flu shots.
We often try to have a flu clinic. Because of the shortage, we were unable to do so. We encouraged
employees to contact their own health professional for further instruction and distributed our Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) on the subject.
Payroll stuffer with specifics on what to do at what point of not feeling well--from early onset to well into it.
none
Notified employees of Flu Shot Clinics, provided insurance claim forms for 100% immunization benefits
Wellness letter is sent out to all employees. Email alerts are also sent.
Written memos from the Infection Control Committee regarding ways to reduce the exposure risk, ways to
maintain good health on a daily basis, and providing free flu vaccinations, as we typically do. It is strongly
advised to staff not to come to work and/or going home if flu symptoms present themselves.
We are a healthcare organization and encourage our employees to get the vaccination. We provide it to our
employees free of charge.
Flyers from our Health Insurance Provider
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
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We already successfully schedule our flu shots.
We have scheduled flu shots free of charge in our plant and also emphasize hygiene (hand washing, etc.)
measures for winter.
We've provided our staff with free flu shots as well as educational material on staying healthy during flu
season.
Broadcast emails, lobby TV's, posters, etc.
We have not done any formal education, however we are having a nurse come in and administer flu shots
free of charge to all employees.
Posters regarding coughing and sneezing and hand washing.
Short article in this month's newsletter.
Ask for flyers and promotional material from EAP provider.
We have encouraged people to see their health care providers to get shots. We are not having an on-site
vaccine program, though.
Our Medical Centre has a table set up at our Health & Benefits fair to discuss this topic and others.
Information regarding the flu and precautions that can be taken have been emailed to all employees. Also,
we were able to provide flu shots for employees and their families.
nothing
Recommendations regarding cleanliness and safe habits.
I would not state formal steps but have put up information received from local clinic.
Notice to staff and provided flu shots last week at no cost to employee.
Flu vaccines available to all staff, communication reminders regarding hand washing, signage for visitors to
ask that if they believe they are ill to respectfully delay their visit until they are feeling better for the health of
our patients and employees, reminders to staff to stay home if they have flu like symptoms.
Reminder e-mails on healthy-habits, such as washing hands, cleaning workspace, etc.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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NA
Did not know there was a flu vaccine shortage. We have had no problem obtaining enough vaccines to offer
our employees. We hold a flu shot day each year and pay for the vaccine for any interested employee.
but we are offering flu shots and picking up a portion of the cost
We had flu shots schedule for last month, but we had to cancel them due to the shortage in the flu vaccine.
Flyers and memos in paychecks.
Our building management is offering flu vaccination for a fee. We forward this information to our
employees.
Flue vaccination program has begun, and we have sent all staff email and posted content on the Safety
Committee web pages.
flu shots available
offered free flu shots onsite
We privide free flu shots to all employees and charge a minimal fee for dependents. The shots are provided
at the company offices and are also available to dependents/employees at various clinics in their local areas.
We also use brown-bag presentations at lunch and mailers to employees homes.
Campus Nurse has communicated flu prevention and treatment information to employees via e-mail and
newsletter. She is also available on a personal level to employees for any health questions related to flu
symptoms or general health issues they may have. We also offer flu shots to employees and their family
members at a reduced fee.
We are an acute care hospital. Our efforts include: 1. Hand hygiene education and enforcement. 2. Global
email messages about flu vaccinations available and importance of flu vaccines. 3. Flu vaccines available
every day in Employee Health clinic and during extended hours (evenings & weekends) via "traveling" nurse
with flu vaccine cart making rounds to nursing and other clinical departments.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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Newsletter article. Distribution of information. Administered flu shots free to employees.
Company wide email informing employees of the upcoming flu season and offer on-site vaccinations.
We are actually holding flu shot sessions in our workplace. Nurses from our largest health insurance
company will be at various sites giving flu shots to our employees.
I set up a flu vaccination clinic on October 21, 2005 and employees received the vaccine at no cost. 75% of
employees participated.
We have scheduled flu shots at our corporate facility, our largest one, on 11/15/05. Don't know about any
other communication.
company paid flu shots onsite
Our nurse communicates closely with all staff on an on-going basis. She recently arranged for the county
Dept. of Health to come to our place of employment to put on a flu shot clinic for anyone who wants to
participate @$8/shot for the employee, with the employer paying $8.
E-mail notification and providing free flu shots
Packet with Brochure on flue prevention, tissues and hand sanitizer. Memo to management team regarding
crisis planning for avian flu. Attempting to get flu shots but not hopeful.
We are offering flu shots, but have not planned additional communication
We were fortunate to have received ample supply of vaccines for our workplace.
None
We coordinate with local agencies to offer flu shots on premises
We provide a flu shot clinic every year for all benefit eligible employees. Information is dismenated when the
flu shot clinic is announce and advertised.
Provided free flu shots to associates. Health tips in associate newsletters.
First of all we are providing flu vaccinations for all our employees. Second, we have sent multiple email
notifications on this topic and have provided recommendations on how to reduce the spread of flu. Thirdly,
we have an on-going wellness campaign that encourages employees to take part of the healthy lifestyle
programs that are available to all employees. Lastly, we provide Hope Health Newsletters to all our
employees on a monthly basis.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
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Divisional health & safety nurses have communicated with department heads and attended ee meetings.
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Flu vaccinations are offered at each of our sites in North America. In addition, there is education on proper
hand washing techniques and antibacterial hand soap available to employees.
We haven't done anything yet, but we may put up signs or send out memos regarding flu prevention
(specifically washing hands). We may also mention it in brief trainings, which will include other information
not related to flu prevention (mention it in passing).
We offer shots to employees who fall within the "at risk" groups and anyone else who wants to have them
until the supply runs out. Our supply is very slow in coming in; our local City physician has ordered them
and will be giving them out. We emphasize good hand washing practices and use our local health
department's Infection Control Nurse to deliver educational sessions at safety meetings. We also put fliers
in payroll checks from our health insurance carrier about being sensible in the flu season.
Offer free flu shots onsite for all employees
We have offered flu shots to all our employees and staff
Issued reminders about hand washing, quarantine levels and where to find more info.
As a health care organization, the educator conducts special in-service sessions on the spread of diseases
like the flu with focus on hand washing, using antibacterial gel, getting medical attention as soon as
symptoms present themselves
We have already offered flu shots to our NY-based employees and informed branch office employees to
submit receipts for their shots.
Shared info regarding ways to avoid illness during the season. Reimbursement for cost of flu shots
Provided flu identification and precautionary measures information in company newsletter.
Organized flu vaccinations on site with company subsidy of cost for employees and immediate family
members
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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Nothing formal. We have posters in all restrooms advising employees on washing hands, how to sneeze,
etc.
We are a health care facility this is an ongoing process. We offer our staff vaccinations. We have a
mandatory annual in-service on infection control. All newly hired staff are educated about infection control
and proper hand washing techniques.
Our wellness committee has placed posters around the building giving tips for avoiding getting sick by
washing hands, etc. The posters are available from our State Dept. of Public Health.
Memos on hand washing, general cleanliness, staying home if you have a fever
We have offered vaccine coupons to all our members
We are a healthcare organization. We provide hand washing techniques, cover your cough campaigns, and
other education for control of related illnesses. Employees can receive the flu shot for free.
Our organization is a healthcare provider organization, and as such, we provide staff education on universal
precautions, effective hand washing techniques, and an employee health/safety fair with posters and flyers
specifically focused on "flu" and other infectious disease spread prevention techniques. We also provide
free flu vaccine to all staff and volunteers (and discounted vaccination to employees' adult family members).
Flu vaccination schedules were set up then had to be postponed. Employees have been notified of the delay
and high risk employees have been informed that vaccinations are available for them now. No discussion on
flu prevention has been released yet, but annually we post flu prevention tips on company web pages and
send out tips by e-mail.
ALLSTAFF Meeting with a health practitioner outlining procedures to prevent the spread of influenza.
Announcements through insurance carrier, bulletins
Provided free vaccines to employees (administered at the worksite) last week.
We are offering flu shots to all employees at no charge, and $25 fee for spouses. We have also posted
informational sheets throughout the buildings with tips on how to prevent the flu.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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We are providing flu immunizations to all employees and spouses. Along with that we are providing
education information about washing hands and generally how not to spread illness in the workplace.
Our company has provided on-site vaccinations administered by our clinical staff, but no formal steps to
educate about reducing the spread of the flu has been conducted.
In appropriate for me. I am consulting at this time.
Our Firm will provide on-site flu vaccinations for employees next week.
To contact an attorney regarding information on making the sick go home even if they are out of sick time.
The findings were addressed at our last all staff meeting this week.
Flu vaccine available for free; flyers and newsletter include tips on preventing disease spread
a flyer goes out to employees briefly reviewing the flu and available vaccine. we were scheduled to provide
shots next week and were a informed yesterday that due to a shortage they will not be available . same thing
happened last year. if they were, we do not want the supplier Exxon Baytown TX used recently !!!!
Article in company newsletter.
Company provided flu shots.
We offer at our facility and pay for our employees to take the flu shot annually.
Secured vaccine for on-site flu shots
Emails regarding hand washing and spread of viruses throughout the year. Updates on vaccine availability
I don't believe there is a shortage of flu vaccine this year in the mid-Atlantic states. I got my shot and so has
everyone else that wants one.
Updated our safety policies to add procedure for hand-washing and preventing the spread of contagious flus
etc. We have posted hand-washing signs in all restrooms & office break rooms along with making germicidal
soaps available in reception, break rooms and conference rooms.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
has taken: (Continued)
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We are an occupational health clinic and all employees were offered flu vaccine at not cost to them. All
employees are trained on hygiene with regard to patients and we express that they follow through with the
same training at home to minimize the spread of germs. Everyone is also encouraged to disinfect their
computer keyboards, phones, etc. on a daily basis. We have even provided alcohol wipes to do so.
We had onsite flu shots and handed out information on articles such as wash hands often, cover mouth
when coughing using a Kleenex or another covering, get rest, etc.
We have offered the flu vaccine to interested employees.
We are providing flu shots.
We've published suggestions for "staying healthy" in our weekly employee newsletter.
flu shot clinic
We provided free flu shots to all employees in October.
We have initiated communications by memo, postings & e-mail plus announcements in management
meetings asking managers to inform their staff members.
We distributed a brochure about the flu with the employees' pay check. The brochure was from our benefits
consultant.
Flu vaccine offered on campus to faculty, staff, and students at cost (no profit). In addition, we have posted
around campus posters with suggestions on how to prevent the spread of the virus - covering mouth,
staying home when sick, extensive washing of hands, keeping hands away from face, etc.
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Distributed Flu Facts and held an onsite Flu Clinic.
Distributed information provided by the City. Currently looking into providing additional information.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
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Informed people about flu shot availability.
We are providing our annual free flu vaccinations next week, so there is no reason to communicate
information about the shortage.
Hygiene tips and a flu vaccine program are in place.
Our Employee Health Department continually provides workshops on infection control and proper hand
washing techniques. Additionally, every employee is required to have annual training on infection control,
blood borne pathogens, Personal protective equipment, Exposure incidents, biohazards and infectious
waste products. Every employee is also assigned an OSHA Blood borne Pathogen category according to
their occupational exposure risk. Those employees who have more direct patient contact receive specific
guidelines and procedures for their specific area. The Hospital also has an exposure control plan readily
available for all employees to review as needed. Finally we have an annual FLU vaccine BLITZ where all
employees are encouraged to have the vaccination as long as it is available.
The State's "Wellness" program has included information in their published bulletin "Wellness" which was
sent on 10-27-05. This bulletin is sent electronically to all State agencies for distribution to employees. In
the last publication, the flu vaccines were still thought to be available, however, there was information on
other precautions to take. Now that the extent of the shortage is known, I fully expect an expanded article in
the next publication.
Postings about the flu have been put up. Info is going to be compiled to be discussed at a staff meeting
since many folks here don't read the postings.
We are proving free flu shots at work. We also sent out a message to all employees.
Informational bulletins are posted in the restrooms and kitchen describing symptoms of flu versus cold.
We are fortunate to have the same number of vaccines available to us that we normally require. We offer flu
shots for a $5 co-pay, the company pays the balance: $15.
WE CONDUCT A "FLU SEASON" SAFETY PROGRAM & POSTERS ARE PUT ON OUR BULLETIN BOARDS
THROUGH OUT THE PLANT.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM
Please briefly describe the formal steps your organization
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We are healthcare organization and already do that as part of our normal SOP
We pay for flu shots for our employees administered on-site and allow spouses to get them at our worksite
at our discounted rate
emphasis on hand washing through posters and information on our corporate wellness page
flu shots
Hung notices in the lavatories about hand washing. We are also offering the vaccine free of charge to our
employees. We have a benefits newsletter that talks about tips for staying healthy.
They will offer the flu shots to employees.
none
We are a healthcare organization and communicate regularly regarding controlling the spread of infectious
diseases. Also have special posters regarding this flu season.
Hospital coming onsite to provide flu vaccines and provide educational handouts.
Have provided hand sanitizer at work stations along with face masks. Distributed flyer on reducing the
spread of flu to all employees.
Flyers, Corporate Communication, On-Site Flu Vaccines for $10.00
On-site, flu shots were administered free of charge
We are a Long Term Care facility and we are constantly discussing the issue of infection control in our
facilities. We offer flu shots to all staff members at no charge.
SHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 1, 2005
© 2005 SHRM