Tag Archives: Swine Flu

Hospitality Industry Employee Health Risks: Swine Flu Outbreaks Could Cripple Small To Medium-Sized Companies If “Half Of Their Workforces Were Out Sick For Two Weeks”

Only one-third reported that they could sustain their businesses without “severe operational problems” if the swine flu kept half their workforces out sick for two weeks, according to the survey.

Swine flu is a type of influenza caused by a virus which can cause serious health complications or even death in a small proportion of the population. Officially called Influenza A H1N1, the symptoms are similar to ordinary flu (e.g. fever, headache, sneezing) but can be more severe.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta estimates that the H1N1 virus has infected more than 22 million people in the U.S. since April, and more than 4,000 people nationwide have died of related complications. The proportion of deaths attributed to influenza already has exceeded what is normally expected at this time of year, with the young hit the hardest, the CDC says.

    At the same time, a survey published in September by the Harvard School of Public Health found that the pandemic and resulting absences could have devastating effects on U.S. businesses. Only one-third reported that they could sustain their businesses without “severe operational problems” if the swine flu kept half their workforces out sick for two weeks, according to the survey.

    Jennifer Benz, who runs Benz Communications, a San Francisco-based employee benefits communication firm, says many of her clients have begun health education campaigns but have stopped short of analyzing all the issues that could arise from a pandemic.

    “It’s very easy to post communications throughout your company, such as washing your hands when you sneeze, but to really look at changing policies is a much different thing,” she says. “It’s a tough business environment right now.”

    Many companies may do more if they see absenteeism soar, she says, but by then, it may be too late. “I think a lot of companies have a plan in their back pocket. If their work site gets hit really hard, then they’ll look at ‘How do we respond?’ ”

    The flu pandemic highlights the importance of providing robust health benefits, such as more than one or two sick days a year, she says. But ad hoc solutions, such as allowing employees to work from home, will fail if a company hasn’t thought them through by, for instance, providing enough access to laptops and ensuring that computer networks can support large numbers of workers dialing in.

    Furthermore, just telling employees to stay home doesn’t help if the company has a weak sick-leave policy or doesn’t provide paid sick time for hourly or part-time workers. “For low-wage workers, missing some days off can mean the difference in paying your rent that month,” Benz says.

    In many cases, businesses are opting against more aggressive efforts because of cost and privacy concerns, says Russell Robbins, a principal and senior clinical consultant in the Connecticut office of HR consulting firm Mercer. Unfortunately, it’s easy to dismiss warnings over H1N1 as paranoid or an overreaction, but the truth is that the flu is likely to spread, Robbins says.

    “I just keep saying that the only way we’re going to weather through this is if we’re prepared for a crisis,” he says. “In other words, make plans now.”

For more:  http://www.workforce.com/section/benefits-compensation/feature/ounce-prevention-or-pound-cure/index.html

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Hospitality Industry Health Issues: Swine Flu Risks Can Impact Hotels And Restaurants If Steps Are Not Taken To Educate Staff And Keep Establishments Clean

Swine flu is a type of influenza caused by a virus which can cause serious health complications or even death in a small proportion of the population. Officially called Influenza A H1N1, the symptoms are similar to ordinary flu (e.g. fever, headache, sneezing) but can be more severe.

The spread of the flu is now recognised as a pandemic (i.e. global epidemic) and its effects are likely to intensify during the autumn and winter. Businesses could be adversely affected and forward planning is important. The key challenge will be to maintain the normal operation of their business whilst protecting staff from unnecessary exposure – especially those who are most vulnerable.

 

 

(From a Lexology.com article)   Employers have a duty to take steps that are reasonably necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees, including those who are particularly at risk for whatever reason. Information on the symptoms of swine flu and those most at risk is available from the NHS at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/ pages/symptoms.aspx.

Simple precautions can make a big difference in preventing the spread of the virus:

  • Educate your staff without causing panic. For example, display posters outlining the most common symptoms of swine flu and the Government’s key precautionary steps.
  • Provide handwash and paper tissues in all communal areas and encourage their regular use.
  • Regularly clean surfaces frequently touched by people (including hotdesk areas, kitchens, toilets and showers).
  • Consider using telephone or videoconferencing where possible, instead of face-to-face meetings.
  • Keep work-related travel to a minimum, especially abroad.
  • Deploy those most at risk to areas where personal contact is minimal (e.g. allow them to work from home).
  • Send home anyone with flu-like symptoms (including the boss!) until they have been diagnosed. If confirmed as having swine flu, ensure they do not return to work until their symptoms have completely gone.

Employees also have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of people they work with. They must co-operate with their employer to enable it to comply with its duties under health and safety legislation. Accordingly, employees who refuse to co-operate or who recklessly risk their own health or that of colleagues or customers can be disciplined.

At present there is no obligation to report outbreaks of swine flu under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), but this may change.

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=847f7d6f-2a93-4d80-b8fa-0871e29c82a9

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