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Implications of Swine Flu (H1N1) for the workplace. Government recommendations for companies to consider.
It is scientifically established that the planet experiences a pandemic roughly every thirty to forty years. In line with this expectation, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued specific recommendations in 2005 to all countries, calling on them to prepare action plans to respond to a potential viral outbreak. Following these recommendations, the Spanish Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry of Labour, developed a general action framework which has now been adapted to address the specific characteristics of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as Swine Flu or Influenza A. This article outlines the key Government recommendations for businesses.
Last June, the WHO officially declared an Influenza A pandemic, by which point approximately 30,000 cases had been recorded across 74 countries. First and foremost, it is important to understand what this declaration actually means. The term pandemic refers to an epidemic with the potential to affect the entire world population, spreading over a very short period of time. A pandemic declaration does not mean the virus is more severe, it simply indicates that it is spreading globally at a rapid rate.
As some sections of the population have experienced uncertainty and concern, we feel it is helpful to briefly outline the main characteristics of this virus:
Influenza A is a flu virus that spreads in the same way as seasonal flu and presents similar symptoms, with one key difference: unlike common flu, it is not confined to winter and can occur at any time of year. Another characteristic that companies should bear in mind is that the proportion of people who become infected is higher than with seasonal flu.
The Government's plan is intended to serve as a guide to help mitigate the impact a pandemic can have on the business world, as this type of situation can restrict a company's operational capacity, supply chain, and business opportunities.
It should be noted that this virus is highly unpredictable and is expected to occur in several waves, each lasting between two and three months. The wave-based pattern of transmission makes it more difficult to predict which groups will be most at risk, as those who are not infected during the first wave may turn out to be the most vulnerable during subsequent ones.
In anticipation of possible developments, there are several points to consider:
- Depending on the extent to which the population is affected, there may be a large number of employees who stop coming in to work. It is important to think not only of those who contract the virus, but also of those instructed to self-isolate and be monitored, or those who need to care for sick family members.
- Some strategies being considered by the European Union, such as isolation, quarantine, and social distancing between employees and customers, may cause significant economic and social disruption, and it is advisable to plan ahead for how to respond.
- A sound preventive approach should allocate resources to protect both staff and customers.
Government proposals for specific measures to be implemented within the company:
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Preparing for the impact of a pandemic:
Designate a dedicated team within the company to be responsible for keeping the action plan up to date with specific measures to address the pandemic at that company or workplace.
For businesses that operate with product stock, it is advisable to plan ahead for storage capacity so as to avoid any disruption to the company's operations.
Assess the potential impact of domestic and international travel by the company's employees. Plan for the possibility of quarantine requirements or border closures.
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Preparing for the impact of the pandemic on employees and customers:
Establish clear guidelines for interactions among employees and with customers, for example, refraining from handshakes, reconsidering the layout of workstations, and seeking to reduce in-person meetings where possible.
Follow the annual flu vaccination recommendations issued by the relevant Health Authorities.
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Establishing contingency measures:
In line with WHO guidelines, employees infected with the Influenza A virus must be isolated and receive medical care, which means they are unable to attend work.
Consider, together with employee representatives, the possibility of establishing procedures for remote working or flexible shift arrangements.
Promote hygiene practices that can help prevent the spread of influenza. Examples include: always sneezing into a tissue and disposing of it immediately afterwards, washing hands and wrists with soap and water more frequently than usual, and making hand sanitiser available in premises where both customers and staff have access to goods.
Provide employees with the necessary resources such as soap, hand sanitiser, disposable tissues, and waste bins for their disposal. It is also advisable to ensure that employees know how to access medical consultations in the event of an emergency or when needed.
In addition to these tips and guidelines, which can prove very useful, given how easily the pandemic can spread and the potential impact on your company's workforce, it is advisable to stay informed about developments regarding the virus. This information can be found on the WHO website (www.who.int/en/) or on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Social Policy (www.msps.es).
Whilst this article reflects the measures set out in the Pandemic Action Plan published by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour, these measures should not cause undue concern, at present, Influenza A has claimed fewer lives than seasonal influenza. Forward planning is always prudent, but it should not be a cause for alarm.
