Employee illness

Find rules, resources and illness logs for recording reportable employee illnesses.

What to know

Infected food workers present a severe food safety risk.

Remember:

  • Do not work in a food business when you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea 
  • Avoid preparing food while you have symptoms and for at least three days after you recover
  • Do not use bare hands to contact ready-to-eat food, including garnishes and ice
  • Practice proper glove use

If a sick customer or employee vomits or has diarrhea in your business:

  • Clean up vomit and diarrhea right away. Wear protective clothing, gloves and mask. Use absorbent material to soak up liquids. Do not vacuum. Use soapy water to wash surfaces that came into contact with vomit or diarrhea.
  • Disinfect surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Hand sanitizers may not be effective against norovirus.

Requirements and resources

Person in Charge duties

The Person in Charge (PIC) must notify the local health department or the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) if any food employees have:

  • Norovirus
  • Hepatitis A virus
  • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
  • Shigella
  • Salmonella
  • Another bacterial, viral or parasitic pathogen

Find Illness Reporting for Food Establishments requirements (MDH)

Employee illness resources

Here are employee illness logs and a flyer to share with employees.

Sick and safe time

The Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time law requires employers to provide sick leave to employees. 

Employees must have access to sick leave when they are ill. 

City-licensed food businesses can ask why an employee is calling in sick. The Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time ordinance does not prevent employers from asking.

See the Sick and Safe time for food businesses flyer

Norovirus

Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States.

Vomit and diarrhea clean up

Foodborne illness outbreak investigations 

Learn about foodborne illnesses outbreak investigations

Request accessible format

If you need help with this information, please email 311, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.

Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Contact us

Health Department

Email Health Department

Phone

612-673-2301

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave S, Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday