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2.19 Personal Hygiene & Health Reporting (FDA Big 6 Compliance)

Policy Statement

THE COMPANY is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all Team Members and guests. As a food-service establishment, THE COMPANY is legally required to ensure that Team Members report certain symptoms, diagnoses, and exposures that may create a risk of foodborne illness. These requirements are mandated by the Georgia Food Code and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code.

Compliance with this policy is a condition of employment for all Team Members, whether or not they handle food directly.

 

Mandatory Illness & Symptom Reporting Requirements

All Team Members must immediately notify the Manager on Duty before beginning work or as soon as symptoms begin if they experience any of the following:

Reportable Symptoms

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • Sore throat with fever
  • Fever accompanied by nausea, stomach pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Any infected cut, wound, boil, or draining lesion on the hands, wrists, or exposed skin
  • Persistent coughing or sneezing that may contaminate food or surfaces

Symptoms must be reported even if they occur outside of work.

 

Mandatory Reporting of FDA “Big 6” Illnesses

Team Members must report the following confirmed diagnoses, suspected diagnoses, or household exposures:

FDA Big 6 Pathogens

  • Norovirus
  • Hepatitis A virus
  • Salmonella Typhi (Typhoid Fever)
  • Nontyphoidal Salmonella
  • Shigella spp.
  • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)

Team Members must also report if a household member is diagnosed with any of the Big 6 illnesses.

 

Exclusion and Restriction From Work

Under federal law and the Georgia Food Code, THE COMPANY must exclude or restrict Team Members when symptoms or diagnoses pose a food safety risk.

Depending on the situation, a Team Member may be:

  • Sent home immediately
  • Restricted to non-food-contact duties
  • Temporarily reassigned
  • Prohibited from entering the restaurant

Team Members may not return to food service duties until they meet all required criteria, which may include:

  • 24 hours symptom-free (vomiting and diarrhea)
  • Medical documentation clearing them for work
  • Negative lab test as required
  • Health Department authorization when mandated
  • No longer infectious, according to Food Code requirements

THE COMPANY will follow the most protective standard required by law.

 

Georgia & FDA Compliance Requirements

Illness reporting is required under:

  • U.S. FDA Food Code
  • Georgia Department of Public Health
  • O.C.G.A. § 26-2-371 – Employee Health

These laws require every food-service employee to report symptoms, diagnoses, and exposures so that THE COMPANY can protect public health.

Failure to report required information may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

 

Failure to Report

Because foodborne illness can cause severe harm to guests and Team Members, failure to report required symptoms, diagnoses, or exposures is treated as a serious policy violation and may result in:

  • Immediate removal from the premises
  • Disciplinary action
  • Termination of employment, depending on circumstances

Dishonesty during illness reporting is considered a violation of THE COMPANY’s Honesty & Ethics Policy and may lead to additional consequences.

 

Manager Responsibilities

Managers on Duty are required to:

  • Enforce all exclusion and restriction rules
  • Immediately separate and send home any Team Member with vomiting or diarrhea
  • Restrict team members with infected wounds unless properly bandaged and gloved
  • Notify the Director of Operations of any Big 6 report
  • Contact the County Health Department immediately when required
  • Document illness events according to THE COMPANY procedure
  • Reference Part 2 of the Handbook for detailed Food Safety Response Procedures
  • Maintain confidentiality and handle reports discreetly
  • Ensure Employee Health Agreements are completed and stored properly

Failure by a Manager to enforce this policy may result in corrective action, including removal of Manager-level responsibilities.

 

Confidentiality of Medical Information

Any reported symptoms, diagnoses, or exposures will be:

  • Handled confidentially
  • Shared only on a need-to-know basis
  • Disclosed only when required by law, the Health Department, or the FDA Food Code

THE COMPANY complies with all applicable privacy requirements.

 

Team Member Acknowledgment Requirement

All Team Members must:

  • Complete and sign the Georgia Employee Health Reporting Agreement during onboarding
  • Understand and comply with all illness reporting rules
  • Follow all hygiene, handwashing, and wound-care procedures
  • Ask questions whenever unsure whether a symptom must be reported

Compliance is required as a condition of employment.

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