We sent our President/CEO, Norman Wright, out to stock up on hand sanitizer and soap for the office.
There’s a
seemingly overwhelming amount of information about the H1N1 influenza (the
so-called swine flu) out there and news about the virus is coming in quickly as
local, state and national authorities try to deal with the rapidly evolving
situation.
The virus was
first detected in the U.S.
and Mexico
in April 2009. By June, the virus had been documented in all 50 states and the
spread of the disease had reached pandemic proportions according to the World
Health Organization (a declaration of a pandemic indicates the spread of the
virus, not the severity).
As we approach
the seasonal flu season, there is a lot of information aimed at educating
individuals, businesses and the healthcare community about H1N1. While there is
no vaccine for H1N1 available yet, one is being developed and may be ready for
the public in the fall. In the meantime, the Centers for Disease Control offers
suggested steps individuals can take to protect themselves.
The CDC recently
issued a Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers to help prepare for
the flu (including 2009 H1N1). This Toolkit is intended for businesses of all
sizes and types except for those that cover healthcare services, and yes, much
of the guidance offered to help prepare and prevent the seasonal flu also
applies to the H1N1 flu.
Local
businesses may have already been impacted by the spring 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak
and because its possible that the fall’s seasonal and H1N1 flu outbreak may
have an even bigger impact, it’s important for businesses to plan now to
protect their business and their employees.
The workplace
may act as a “point of spread” where employees may spread the virus(es) to
their coworkers as well as others in the community. If workers have to stay
home because they’re sick or because their children’s school has been closed,
it can impact business operations.
And the CDC
strongly recommends that employees who have flu-like symptoms stay home until
at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, determined without the use
of fever-reducing medications. Businesses are encouraged to have flexible leave
schedules or alternate work schedules to help prevent the spread of the flu and
allow people to take care of their own health and that of their families. The
CDC also recommends that you not require a doctor’s note for employees with
flu-like symptoms. Medical facilities are likely to be overwhelmed and probably
won’t be able to provide such documentation in a timely manner anyway.
Following
these recommendations means a high likelihood of staffing shortages. Planning
can help minimize disruption to business activities due to absenteeism in your
business and that of your vendors; an estimated 25 percent of businesses do not
reopen following a major disaster. While here along the Gulf Coast,
we tend to think of this statistic in terms of hurricanes, a severe flu
pandemic could have an equally major effect on the economy.
- Explore
now whether you can establish policies and practices such as flexible worksites
(such as telecommuting) or flexible work hours (staggered shifts) and what IT
and infrastructure may be needed to support multiples workers working from
alternate locations.
- Identify
essential business functions, essential jobs or roles and critical elements
within your supply chains required to maintain business operations. How will
your business operate with increased absenteeism or if supply chains are interrupted?
- What
steps can your business take to minimize exposure to employees and the public
if health officials call for social distancing?
- How
will you communicate to your employees and business partners about your
response plans and current information from health officials?
Proper planning now can
help keep both your business and your employees healthy this flu season.
For additional
information about H1N1 and to download the business Toolkit, visit http://www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/toolkit.html.
For additional
information and advice you can trust on managing your business, start with bbb.org.