15 Steps Businesses Should Take To Prepare for the H1N1 Pandemic

Now that a pandemic has been declared, there are 17 things your company must do to be sure you’re ready to address operational procedures in case of employee illness, which will keep the flu from spreading.

Note that pandemics come in several waves, and our experts expect the H1N1 to emerge again in full force this upcoming flu season.

  1. Plan: Be sure you have a fully completed pandemic plan in place, and that key responders are ready to implement strategies at a moment’s notice.

    IF YOU DO NOT have a pandemic plan in place: Preparis has created a Pandemic Plan Checklist to help you get started. Click here or find it in the left navigation window.

  2. Review: If you have not reviewed a previously created plan in the last six months, do so now. Be sure all responsible parties are thoroughly prepared to undertake all precautions and implement appropriate response plans.
  3. Test: Test critical elements of your pandemic plan, such as telecommuting, social distancing, video conferencing technologies, Citrix systems, etc.
  4. Communicate: Communicate to your organization and shareholders that you have a plan or are working on one. It is crucial to communicate your activities to all stakeholders.

    Your customers will increasingly start asking to see your pandemic plan. Make sure you have a designated individual to handle these requests with proper documentation of what you are implementing.

  5. Structure: Prepare now for how your company can continue to operate with 25 – 50% absenteeism
    • Can you cross train? Set this in motion now.
    • Can you identify temporary workers? Identify those people now or have an outline of possible needs prepared to get HR in motion.
  6. Influenza Vaccines: Promote and support vaccine programs as communicated by public health officials.

    Encourage employees to get BOTH the H1N1 and the seasonal flu vaccines sooner, rather than later. Supplies of the vaccines will more than likely be in short supply.

    * Remember: all communication must be general and non-discriminatory.

  7. Be Aware: Be aware of your employee population—especially if there are employees in your organization with health conditions that put them at higher risk for contracting the H1N1 virus, or from suffering complications from the flu.
  8. It’s all local: Monitor absenteeism on a local level. Realize that remote offices may have a different response to the pandemic, and it may have differing effects on your working population.
  9. If it strikes: Read our instructions by linking to our overview: Got H1N1? This will provide a series of steps you can take to protect your employees and your operations.
  10. Downstream Readiness: Stock up on critical business supplies at each office location that may be in short supply if supply orders are delayed.

    Ask your key suppliers for their pandemic plans and make contingencies if they are not up to your expectations or standards.

  11. Take Precautions: As with any infectious disease, emphasize the following precautionary measures to all employees:
    1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
    2. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
    3. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 30 seconds (sing the "A-B-C song"), especially after you cough or sneeze.
    4. Stock up on alcohol-based hand sanitizer (which may be in short supply during the pandemic period). Place it in all common areas.
    5. Avoid close contact with sick people.
    6. If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
    7. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
    8. Follow all local health recommendations.
      (For example, it may be necessary to ask a sick employee to go home in order to protect the health of others.)
  12. Policy Consideration for Ill Family Members: Preparis recommends that employers maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. In determining “return to work” policies, businesses must weigh the financial impact and dynamic workforce needs into any “return to work” policy decision.

    Employers should be aware that more workers may need to stay at home to care for ill children/family members than is usual, and they should allow for flexible work policies including alternative scheduling, telecommuting, etc.

    Two options may include:
    1. Healthy employees that have a sick family member at home, even if they are not exhibiting symptoms, may stay at home to minimize the spread of the pandemic. These employees may be a caretaker for sick family members and should be expected to stay home until at least 24 hours after their family member fever-free.
    2. Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with influenza may go to work as usual. However, these employees should strictly monitor their health every day, daily notify their supervisor and stay home if they themselves become ill.
  13. Employee Training & Communication: Employees and family members should perform a self-health assessment daily. A useful Resource: Preparis’ Influenza Symptom Screening Tool is available by clicking on its title here, or from the ‘Tips and Tools’ section of H1N1 Central.

    Employees and/or family members who have symptoms of influenza-like illness are recommended to stay home until at least 24 hours after fever is no longer present.

    Regardless of the policy that is undertaken, sick leave/personal leave and “return to work” policies and other HR policies and expectations should be communicated in detail with employees who are home sick or who are caring for sick family members.

  14. Relax Doctor’s Note Requirements: Employers are encouraged not to require a doctor’s note for workers who are ill with influenza-like illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as doctor’s offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way.
  15. Encourage Individual & Family Preparedness: Provide information to your employees so they are prepared to address H1N1 issues at home. They should be prepared to make family pandemic plans of their own to address family preparedness, school closures, telecommuting, travel restrictions, etc., as well as to know how to treat influenza symptoms so they can return to work quickly and healthfully.