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| Preparing a Workplace Response to H1N1 ("Swine Flu") |
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| 8/3/2009 |
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ROBIN'S PERSPECTIVE: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a nationwide public health emergency as “H1N1” (formerly referred to as “Swine Flu”) spreads throughout Mexico and the U.S. According to the World Health Organization, the current state of contagion requires response and mitigation efforts. Here are a few steps that employers and employees may want to explore to make the workplace better equipped to deal with a pandemic, should that situation arise:
1.) Discourage “presenteeism” : Tell employees if they, or a person with whom they live, has or may have H1N1, that they need to stay home from work until they are medically cleared.
2.) Develop a telecommuting plan so workers at home can still contribute.
3.) Cancel non-essential air travel, and do meetings via teleconference.
4.) Put hand sanitizers and tissues in the workplace, and be sure public restrooms have warm water, are clean, and stocked with soap and hand towels
5.) Keep the workplace cleaned and disinfected.
6.) Cross-train employees on how to perform essential job functions so that you keep the workplace going in the event of illnesses.
7.) Provide education on what the flu is, and what it isn’t, to prevent panic.
Resources for more information, see: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Hear Robin's interview on this topic:
http://www.wfan.com/pages/3341990.php |
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