Swine flu: guidance and advice for employers and HR

Swine flu is here in the UK, and is expected to hit employees and employers severely. The flu pandemic cannot be contained, so the focus for everyone – especially employers and HR – must be on managing the outbreak.

The full impact of the swine flu outbreak is unlikely to be felt in the UK until the autumn, when cases of flu tend to increase. There is a real possibility that a large proportion of the workforce could be affected; indeed many organisations believe that at the peak of a severe pandemic, up to 75% of the workforce may be absent from work.

The issues for employers and HR are many and concerning – for example Personnel Today recently revealed that employees could take up to two weeks of uncertified sick leave.

But there is much that employers can do to prepare for the swine flu pandemic. This page contains Personnel Today’s selection of the most reliable employer and HR-relevant information.  Bookmark this page or sign up to our RSS feeds to ensure you stay up-to-date with the swine flu pandemic.

Swine flu - top tips on planning for and coping with a flu pandemic

1. Put contingency plans in place now

The main difficulty facing businesses is that there are likely to be high levels of staff absence for a variety of reasons, including illness, caring for others, or travel bans/restrictions.

2. Review and update your policies

Employers should review and update employment policies and procedures which may be affected and monitor any changes to official advice.

3. Put in place measures to protect the health and safety of your employees

Employers are under a duty to take steps which are reasonably necessary to ensure the safety of their employees, and not subject them to unnecessary risks of injury. 

Read the full list of five top tips for employers

IRS conference: Surviving pandemic flu in the workplace
6 October 2009
London

Highlights include:

• Expert views on how swine flu will spread during autumn and winter
• What you must have in your HR policy to limit your legal risks
• How a pandemic threatens your people and the bottom line

Swine flu pandemic conference - more details

Swine flu: External resources for employers

Business Link – practical advice for business

NHS guidance for employers 

Health and Safety Executive - general advice for employers

NHS Direct swine flu symptoms checker

Advice for pregnant workers on swine flu

Swine flu – international travel advice

Pandemic flu checklist for business  

Business Link – guide to business continuity management

Business Link – how to handle workplace infections and diseases

The latest information on the swine flu pandemic on Personnel Today's sister site XpertHR. Information includes model policies on contigency planning and infectious diseases, occupational health advice and practical steps employers can take.
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