From the September 2009 issue of Ceridian Connection.

The U.S. government is urging business leaders to focus on planning for flexible responses to a range of flu outbreak scenarios, from a moderate increase in flu-related absenteeism to a serious influenza pandemic. Current guidelines for employers and up-to-date information on flu risk can be found on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Web site (refer to Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to the 2009-2010 Influenza Season); on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site and on the World Health Organization Web site.

It is important for employers to be prepared for the possibility of a pandemic, both for public health and business reasons. A pandemic could affect your workforce, clients and customers. It could cause workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions and panic among employees and their families.

The following guidelines were developed by government and business experts to help you make careful and coordinated plans in the event of a pandemic.

Plan
Identify a pandemic coordinator or team with defined roles and responsibilities for preparedness and response planning. Review emergency preparedness plans with your senior staff. Set regular, frequent meeting times. Remember, it's the planning process that's important, not a fixed or finite plan. Download an executive brief on business continuity planning.

Communicate
Have emergency communication plans and systems in place. Distribute pandemic preparedness and response plans to employees and, if appropriate, to your customers and suppliers.

Prepare
Plan for how critical functions will be performed from elsewhere in the event of widespread absenteeism or if work sites must be temporarily closed. Review disability, health care and leave policies. Provide cross-training to employees as much as possible so that tasks or responsibilities can be done by more than one person. Plan to have employees telecommute or work remotely wherever possible. Establish policies for restricting travel to affected geographic areas.

Immunize and prevent illness
Schedule immunization clinics for your workforce through your EAP or Wellness Services provider. Seasonal flu vaccines are available now. Updates on the availability of H1N1 influenza vaccines are available through national news media as well as online.

Remind employees about the importance of practicing good hygiene by posting notices about regular hand washing and provide hand sanitizers and other disposable items.

Engage your EAP or Health & Wellness partner
Distribute educational materials regarding flu preparedness to your employees. By involving employees in proactive steps to prepare for a pandemic, they may feel less anxious and more in control. Reinforce the message that employees should stay home when they are sick.

Stay informed
Consult the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services site, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site, and the World Health Organization site.

In addition, read the following Ceridian LifeWorks information on H1N1:

• H1N1 Flu: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions


• H1N1 Novel Flu Vaccine


• Protecting Yourself from the Swine Flu


• Swine Flu Resource List


• Preparing for a Flu Pandemic Booklet


• Pandemic Flu Guidelines for Business Leaders and Decision-Makers