New Guidance from the CDC

On Wednesday August 19, 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance for businesses with regards to the upcoming flu season. Many of the suggestions in the guidance are common flu prevention techniques, such as, washing hands with soap and hot water, using your sleeve to cover coughs and using disinfecting agents on items commonly used by an entire office. However, there were some new items that should be noted by all employers. The following represents a list of important items that employers should be considering as we move closer to the fall flu season.

• Employers should plan to be able to respond in a flexible way depending on the severity of the flu.
• During an influenza pandemic, all sick people should stay home.
• Employers should plan now to allow and encourage sick workers to stay home without fear of losing their jobs. Additional planning should take place on how to operate with an increased rate of absenteeism.
• Employers should prepare to institute flexible workplace and leave policies for employees who are sick, caring for sick family members or if their child’s school has been closed abruptly.
• Prepare to implement multiple measures to protect workers and ensure business continuity. A layered approach is recommended.
• Explore the possibilities of developing flexible work hours (staggered shifts) and working from home policies.
• Expect sick employees to be out 3-5 days
• Encourage employees to discuss with their supervisor the fact that they have a sick family member and will continue to monitor their own health.
• If an employee becomes ill at work, inform staff of possible exposure while maintaining confidentiality as required by the ADA.
• Offer onsite flu vaccinations (seasonal & multi-shot H1N1). Consider granting time off from work for employees to get vaccinated.
• Do not require a doctor’s note for workers who are ill with influenza.

In closing, we all must remember that the easiest way to stop the spread of the seasonal flu or H1N1 is by using common everyday techniques for flu prevention. If you would like to read the full guidance provided by the CDC, you may find it here http://tiny.cc/S2EKR