Employers Should Prepare Now For The 2009 - 2010 Flu Season-00-4427

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Given the requirements of OSHA's General Duty Clause, and for other important business reasons, employers should take steps now to prepare for the effects of a possible 2009 - 2010 flu pandemic.

In this connection, employers should be aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") released a new "Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to the 2009 - 2010 Influenza Season" and, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Homeland Security, also issued "Preparing for the Flu (Including 2009 H1N1 Flu)—A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers."

Among other things, the Guidance recommends that employers: (i) review or establish flexible influenza pandemic plans; (ii) allow sick workers to stay home without fear of losing their jobs; (iii) develop other flexible leave policies for employees who have to stay home to care for sick family members or for children if schools dismiss students or child programs close; (iv) share their influenza pandemic plans with employees and explain what human resources policies, workplace ...
... and leave flexibilities and pay and benefits, will be available to them and (v) add a "widget" or "button" to company Web pages or employee Websites so employees can access the latest information.

If the current flu conditions remain at a similar severity as in Spring/Summer 2009, the Guidance recommends the following employer responses, among others:

Advise employees to be alert to signs of fever and other signs of flu-like illness (such as fevers or chills and cough or sore throat, which may also be accompanied by a runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhoea or vomiting) before reporting to work each day and stay home if they are ill.

Employees who become ill with flu-like illness during the work day should be promptly separated from other employees and asked to go home. If they can tolerate it, provide such employees with a surgical mask to wear before they go home if they cannot be separated from other employees. Inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to flu-like illness but maintain confidentiality as required by federal (and state) law.

Employees with flu-like illness should stay at home until at least 24 hours after they are free from fever (100º or greater), or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications. Expect sick employees to be out for about three to five days in most cases.

Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are well aware of the policies. Do not require a doctor's note for employees who are ill with flu-like illness because doctors' offices may be too busy to provide such documentation.

Employees who are well but have family members at home with flu-like illness can go to work as usual, but these employees should monitor their health every day. Employers should maintain flexible policies to permit employees to stay home to care for their ill family members.

Educate employees on proper cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene and provide such things as tissues, no-touch disposal receptacles, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers (including in conference rooms). Educate employees that some people are at a higher risk and encourage such employees to contact their health care provider as soon as possible. Frequently clean all commonly touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops and doorknobs. Encourage employees to get vaccinated for seasonal flu and, when available, for 2009 H1N1 flu.

Prepare for increased numbers of employee absences because of illness of the employees and/or their family members. Be prepared to allow employees to stay home to care for children if schools are dismissed or child care programs are closed, but strongly recommend that parents not bring their children with them to work while schools are dismissed. Ensure that leave policies are flexible and not punitive.

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