Infection prevention and control in the workplace 

Workplace infections can cause disruptions, impact employee health and harm your reputation as an employer. Proactively managing infection risks protects everyone.

Some infections – like flu, norovirus and COVID-19 – can spread quickly. For some people, particularly those with underlying health conditions, they can cause serious illness.

Other types of infection – such as salmonella among food handlers – may not spread as quickly, but can still seriously affect a business, its employees and its clients.

Even minor infections – such as winter colds – can have an impact on a business. These represent the biggest cause of short-term sickness absence. Learn more about sickness absence and its causes.

Page last reviewed: 10th March 2025