Sep. 28--LAS CRUCES -- The H1N1 flu is on everyone's mind. Bottles of hand sanitizer offered for use at your favorite store or restaurant can be found all around town and the Department of Homeland Security recently issued guidelines to combat swine flu for small businesses.

"Small Business owners should take the time to create a plan, talk with their employees and make sure they are prepared for flu season," said Karen Mills with the Small Business Administration, via a release. "For countless small businesses, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line."

September is National Preparedness Month, a fitting time for companies to prepare for what could turn out to be a nasty flu season.

Kiel Hoffman, president of Pioneer Bank in Las Cruces, said that with all the money changing hands, a bank needs to be exceptionally careful about germs.

"We're telling everyone, if they feel sick at all, call in sick," Hoffman said. "We don't want anyone coming if they feel ill."

Jerry Harrell, general manager of the Double Eagle Restaurant and Peppers Cafe in Mesilla, said many eateries have taken an extra step.

"We put little hand sanitizers throughout for the public to use," Harrell said.

He said he constantly reminds employees to sneeze and cough into the crook of their arms and constantly wash their hands.

"If they come in and they look sick, or maybe if they're coming down with something, we send them home," Harrell said.

Dena Wilbee, manager of Toucan Market, said with all the concerns about H1N1, supervisors have to be trusting of their employees.

"You have to hope they use their best judgment," she said.

A guidebook released by the Department of Homeland Security recommends small businesses identify their essential operations and have plans for operating with reduced staffing. The government also says businesses should consider letting employees work from home if they get sick.

According to the Center for Disease Control, businesses should have an understanding of their normal seasonal absenteeism rates and know how to monitor their personnel for any unusual increases in absenteeism through the fall and winter.

Dr. Daniel Jernigan of the CDC said small businesses may need to change their leave policies to allow employees stay home longer if they become sick. He recommended workers stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever has subsided.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

WHAT EMPLOYERS CAN DO: Here are some tips for employers to try and prevent the spread of flu:

-- Develop policies that encourage ill workers to stay at home without fear of any reprisals.

-- Develop practices to minimize face-to-face contact between workers such as extended the use of e-mail, Web sites and teleconferences.

-- If possible, rely on home delivery of goods and services to reduce the number of clients or customers who must visit your workplace.

-- Providing resources and a work environment that promotes personal hygiene. For example, provide tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to clean their work surfaces.

-- Encourage workers to obtain a seasonal influenza vaccine.

-- Developing procedures to minimize contacts between workers and between workers and clients or customers.

Source: OSHA

WHAT EMPLOYEES CAN DO: Here are some tips for employees to try and prevent the spread of flu:

-- Stay home if you are sick.

-- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.

-- Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

-- Keep frequently touched common surfaces (for example, telephones, computer equipment, etc.) clean.

-- Try not to use other workers' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment.

-- Maintain a healthy lifestyle; attention to rest, diet, exercise and relaxation helps maintain physical and emotional health.

Source: OSHA

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