Businesses should make contingency plans to combat the threat of a potential swine flu pandemic, a Midlands employment law expert has warned.
Last week, the World Health Organisation raised the global pandemic alert level to five out of six in response to the spread of disease. Phase five means a pandemic is imminent.
And with nearly 5,000 confirmed cases worldwide – including 40 in the UK – employment solicitor Ian Besant, of Wright Hassall solicitors, said companies should act now to protect their businesses.
Besant said: “There is perhaps some scaremongering at the moment in regard to swine flu – but there are some prudent steps a business can take to protect themselves.
“The unpredictability of an outbreak means that not only could it reduce staff internally but it could also affect suppliers too.
“In terms of immediate action, an employer has a legal responsibility to send home any staff member who has been to Mexico recently or had close contact with someone who has, until they have been checked by a doctor.
“The Government has said that all non-essential travel to Mexico should be avoided – so unless meetings are critical, they should be cancelled.
“But if an employee refuses to work due to a ‘fear’ of contracting something, they have no special legal rights. In the majority of cases, if they refuse to work, then they would face normal disciplinary procedures when they return.
“Likewise, an employer will need to manage short-term absences carefully – particularly if it is suspected that an employee is using swine flu as a pretext for a ‘duvet day’. In these circumstances it would be reasonable to ask employees to confirm that they have sought medical attention – this will quickly sort out the genuine from the non-genuine.
“Looking forward, employers should work out how to run their business with minimum staff and consider retraining or redeploying staff to critical roles.
“It may also be necessary to take on temporary staff so the right contacts should be made and the paperwork put in place.
“It is an idea to try and reduce the need for face-to-face meetings – and home working, if viable, is a sensible option to ensure as many staff as possible can continue to work.”
Wright Hassall, is hosting a free seminar for HR professionals on Thursday, June 18, to advise on how to prepare their workplace for a possible pandemic.
The seminar will be held at Wright Hassall’s headquarters at Olympus Avenue, Leamington Spa from 3.30pm to 6pm. Click here for more details.
