H1N1 in the Workplace - Be Prepared
Good news, bad news.
Bad news first: Health officials are warning there will be another H1N1 virus outbreak this fall, potentially worse than last year’s.
Good news: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) anticipates that an H1N1 vaccine will be ready for distribution by mid-fall of 2009. Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell announced that she will be making the flu vaccines free for all Connecticut residents. (The Ridgefield VNA is already planning flu and pneumonia clinics).
If there is flu pandemic, big business will likely go on as usual. However, according to a national survey recently conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, only one-third of businesses believe they can sustain operations without severe problems, if half their workforce were on sick leave for two weeks due to swine flu. Those in a smaller workplace should take precautions now.
Business Week suggests that employers update employee contact information and develop a “pandemic preparedness plan.” The Connecticut Employment Law Blog (CELB) offers specific steps from the CDC’s website, including encouraging sick workers to stay home, and providing flexible leave policies. 
Employers should consider consulting an attorney for potential issues that may arise: what are the confidentiality guidelines for disclosing information about an employee’s health? How much sick leave do you have to provide? We hope it would not be often needed but, in case of complications triggered by the flu, the Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees with certain provisions of unpaid leave. CELB discusses other legal issues that may be of interest to employers.
According to the CDC, the best advice regarding H1N1 is relatively simple: cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, wash hands well, and stay home when sick.
