Does your workplace have a policy for employees with swine flu or flu like symptoms? What about employees exposed to others known to have swine flu virus? Finally, what about customers, employee family members, patients, students, guests, contractors, vendors or others?
By implementing sound swine flu virus policies in our organizations, we can help curb the spread of swine flu virus.
Here is a suggestion for systematically thinking about a swine flu policy: Make a grid on a sheet of paper. Label the columns according to the potential severity of illness: has swine flu, exposed to others known to have swine flu, exhibits flu like symptoms. Label the rows with logical population groups for your organization: employees, customers, vendors, students, guests, parishioners, patients, travelers, etc. as make sense in your situation. Each box represents a group to consider when developing your organization’s swine flu health policy and communication strategy.
Many smaller organizations do not have the resources, contacts, or expertise to develop swine flu policies. If your organization has developed health policies aimed at curbing swine flu and the organization is willing to share, feel free to post the policy or a web-link in the comments. Or email me using the link on the right side along with any privacy restrictions your organization may require. Please indicate if your organization is a business, health care, hospitality, school, government, or other so others can understand the context.
Once your organization has developed a policy, communicate it. Letting people know what is acceptable and expected under various conditions will help the policy work more effectively.
Here are useful resources to consult when developing a workplace policy or responding to employee questions.
Planning and Information Resources
Community & Faith Based Organization Planning
Transportation & Hospitality Planning
State & Local Government Planning
Local Resources
.
