With the death toll in Mexico reaching 159, 2 reported cases in the UK, 23 cases being investigated in Scotland and the World Health Organisation raising the level of the swine flu alert from Phase Four to Phase Five, employers need to act fast to be ready for the arrival of Swine Flu. Andrew Weir, Advocacy Tema Leader of NorthgateArinso Employer Services has this advice: Assess the risks: Employers should investigate whether any of their employees or their friends have visited Mexico very recently and if so, what regions, making themselves aware of the specific regions in Mexico that are at heightened risk. Employers who identify employees as having been to heightened risk areas, may wish to consider invoking their Garden Leave clauses and ask their employees to keep in touch with the employer on a daily basis to keep their informed of their health status. Employees with Flu like symptoms need to be encouraged to contact their employer as soon as possible, stay at home and to not return to work until they are fully recovered. They should consider displaying signs telling those infected not to enter the building and reminding them of the importance of good hygiene standards and providing the tools to achieve those standards (ensuring everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water, cleans surfaces regularly to get rid of germs, uses tissues to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible), considering alternatives to direct meetings, reducing interaction by staggering lunch breaks, and asking staff to maintain a distance of one metre from other people. Prepare now: It is virtually impossible to develop and effectively implement such a program to minimise the risks of a pandemic under crisis conditions, and by waiting, employers will miss the opportunity to take proactive preventative steps. Measures that businesses may want to consider in an effort to reduce the spread of the flu virus fall into three categories: • Environmental - actions taken within the environment to help reduce the risk of infection, • Organisational - actions taken to modify behaviours to help reduce the risk of infection, • Individual behaviour - actions taken by the individual to restrict the spread of the virus. Businesses need to consider the practicality of taking Measures taken by employers within their respective workplace and arrive at a solution suitable to their business. Environmental: Employers should consider displaying signs reminding them of the symptoms of flu, telling those infected not to enter the building and reminding them of the importance of good hygiene standards (ensuring everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water, cleans surfaces regularly to get rid of germs, uses tissues to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible), providing their staff with the means to achieve the hygiene standards they promote such as providing alcohol based micro-biological hand rubs at the entrances to premises. Organisational: Employers should consider alternatives to direct meetings, reducing interaction by staggering lunch breaks, and asking staff to maintain a distance of one metre from other people. Employers should be aware and be making their employees aware of the key symptoms of Flu such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, tiredness, chills, aching muscles, sore throats, runny noses, sneezing, loss of appetite They should be promoting an environment where employees feel comfortable calling in sick if they develop symptoms, promote the development of flu friends, people who can help your employees out if they feel ill. These people could collect medicines and other supplies for your employees, so they wouldn\'t have to leave home, ensure the employee has stocks of food and other supplies, including basic cold remedies, available at home. Where direct contacts are unavoidable, persons with flu like symptoms should be asked to keep a distance of 1 meter and where possible wear a face mask. HR policies should recognize early recognition of illness and the need for employees to remain at home when ill. Employers should keep in touch with the Department of Health, their GP practices and ensure contingency plans are in place to maintain contact with their banks, suppliers and customers. Individual behaviour Cleanliness should be encouraged and where direct contact with someone with Flu like symptoms is unavoidable, individuals should be conscious of the use of personal protective equipment such as face masks. NorthgateArinso Employers Services are both Employment Law and Health & Safety specialists and are on hand to support any UK business in addressing the practical and human aspects caused through the arrival of swine flu. http://www.northgatearinso.co.uk/content/employer_services