Nobody can sneeze at the moment without glares from those nearby and someone shouting “Swine Flu” but the risk to businesses is real and serious. With an expected peak starting in August, to tie in with the holiday season, an expected 30% of the population is expected to contract the virus and require up to days off.

With this in mind The Business Advisory Network for Flu (BANF) has made the following planning assumptions for the first wave of swine flu in the UK:

• the first wave of swine flu will happen between August and November – around 30 per cent of the public will be infected
• the first wave will peak broadly between late August to late September
• during the peak weeks employee absence rates for illness (themselves or looking after ill children) may reach 12 per cent of the workforce – this is in addition to normal holiday absence
• the spread and tail-off of swine flu will not happen uniformly across the UK

Other fears are being raised about the issue of potential school closures. With an expected resurgence of Swine Flu during early September, it is estimated that a further 15% of employees will require time off to look after children.

For business to cope with this level of absenteeism, it is important to plan for the worst. Consider identifying key players within teams, those with essential roles, employees with cross department responsibilities and consider training programs now.

It is also important to consider the role of prevention within the workplace. Look for ways to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure employees are aware of the steps they need to take if they feel that they or a family member may be showing symptoms of the H1N1 virus.

Technorati Tags: swine flu, H1N1

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