Prior to any increase in instances of H1N1 at the workplace, employers should take simple steps to impress upon their workforce the importance of personal hygiene. Circulate an email or post a notice reminding employees about the possibility that swine flu infection may increase and that personal hygiene is critically important. Encourage employees to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or with hand sanitizers if there is no soap or water available, to avoid touching their noses, mouths and eyes, to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or to cough and sneeze into their upper sleeves if tissues are not available. Employees should always wash their hands or use a hand sanitizer after they cough, sneeze, or blow their noses.
It is recommended that employers engage the services of a healthcare professional with experience in communicable diseases. That healthcare professional can assist employers in dealing with health and other issues related to the flu.
Should employees begin to become infected with H1N1 flu, then the employer should advise employees to avoid close contact with coworkers and customers, avoid shaking hands, and always wash their hands after coming in contact with others.
The business should provide customers and the public with tissues and trash receptacles, and with a place to wash or disinfect their hands. The business should also keep work surfaces, telephones, computer equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces and office equipment clean at all times. Discourage your employees from using other employees' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. Minimize situations where groups of people are in close contact, such as in a meeting. Instead, encourage the use of e-mail, phones, and text messages to communicate with each other.
A more challenging problem for employers is the application of the employer's absence policy in the event of a swine flu outbreak at the workplace. If an employee becomes infected with the disease, it is in the employer's interest that the employee remain away from work. On the other hand, concerns about this infectious disease might cause employees to remain away from work unnecessarily or, worse, to make a false claim of illness as a way of avoiding coming to work. Be sure to consult a healthcare professional for help with these types of issues.
Given the fact that it is in the best interest for every business to prepare for potential problems caused by H1N1, it is strongly recommended that employers review, and where necessary update and clarify its policy on absenteeism. The employer should immediately communicate any changes to that policy to employees. The policy on absenteeism should address such issues as whether a doctor's note will be required to justify any absences, and whether an employee will need clearance from a doctor in order to return to work. The policy should also deal with the question of what to do with employees who have used up any paid vacation or sick time, and yet, need to be away from work because they have contracted the swine flu.
The business should also make contingency plans to deal with the reality that many employees may be absent from work at the same time, thereby making it difficult, if not impossible, to perform critical functions. The employer should make arrangements for the use of temporary employees, and also thoroughly explore the option of permitting employees to work from home.
A swine flu outbreak poses significant challenges for employers. Begin preparing now, so that if the worst happens, you are ready.
It is recommended that employers engage the services of a healthcare professional with experience in communicable diseases. That healthcare professional can assist employers in dealing with health and other issues related to the flu.
Should employees begin to become infected with H1N1 flu, then the employer should advise employees to avoid close contact with coworkers and customers, avoid shaking hands, and always wash their hands after coming in contact with others.
The business should provide customers and the public with tissues and trash receptacles, and with a place to wash or disinfect their hands. The business should also keep work surfaces, telephones, computer equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces and office equipment clean at all times. Discourage your employees from using other employees' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. Minimize situations where groups of people are in close contact, such as in a meeting. Instead, encourage the use of e-mail, phones, and text messages to communicate with each other.
A more challenging problem for employers is the application of the employer's absence policy in the event of a swine flu outbreak at the workplace. If an employee becomes infected with the disease, it is in the employer's interest that the employee remain away from work. On the other hand, concerns about this infectious disease might cause employees to remain away from work unnecessarily or, worse, to make a false claim of illness as a way of avoiding coming to work. Be sure to consult a healthcare professional for help with these types of issues.
Given the fact that it is in the best interest for every business to prepare for potential problems caused by H1N1, it is strongly recommended that employers review, and where necessary update and clarify its policy on absenteeism. The employer should immediately communicate any changes to that policy to employees. The policy on absenteeism should address such issues as whether a doctor's note will be required to justify any absences, and whether an employee will need clearance from a doctor in order to return to work. The policy should also deal with the question of what to do with employees who have used up any paid vacation or sick time, and yet, need to be away from work because they have contracted the swine flu.
The business should also make contingency plans to deal with the reality that many employees may be absent from work at the same time, thereby making it difficult, if not impossible, to perform critical functions. The employer should make arrangements for the use of temporary employees, and also thoroughly explore the option of permitting employees to work from home.
A swine flu outbreak poses significant challenges for employers. Begin preparing now, so that if the worst happens, you are ready.
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