Swine Flu
What to do about Swine Flu!
With all the hype in the media regarding the threat of flu pandemic, it is prudent to consider some practical advice in the event that the situation escalates.
How can employers respond to the potential threat of a flu pandemic?
- Be prepared: develop a contingency plan in case the risk of the flu in the UK increases
- Have strategies to maximise the amount of home-working that is possible by staff
- Investigate ways of increasing use of video links and teleconferencing which can help limit the amount of face to face contact
- Consider restricting business travel, particularly air travel to areas of higher risk
- For service / customer facing organisations explore the possibility of increasing the amount of online transactions as well as self-service options for customers
- Have in place plans that will enable the organisation to operate on skeleton staff
- Identify key roles that must be carried out and identify those individuals who have a wide range of skills who can fulfil more than one function
- Ensure that procedures are developed to ensure smooth handovers for employees who are filling in for colleagues in unfamiliar role.
- Stay up to date on the advice and guidance issued by the Department of Health (DoH) and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
- What should employers do if there is a flu pandemic?
- Communicate clearly and consistently to minimise the chances of misunderstanding and needless worries among employees
- Advise unwell employees to seek appropriate medical advice at the earliest opportunity
- Provide clear advice on the importance of employees staying at home if they are beginning to feel unwell and start suffering from symptoms of flu such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and conjunctivitis. However, you will need to carefully consider what your policy will be regarding whether to pay staff, and ensure that it is consistently applied.
- Postpone / cancel face to face meetings, unnecessary travel and work related social events. Follow advice issued by the DoH and HSE.
If you require further advice, please contact the HCS team who will be delighted to assist you on 0141 776 6456.
14 May 2009, Administrator
news feed