Are you worried about a flu pandemic impacting your workplace?
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This week, the news has been about the swine flu, which has resurfaced aggressively and is now affecting communities throughout the world, killing more than 150 people in Mexico. Of course, it should be noted that the more common seasonal influenza causes approximately 36,000 deaths in the United States each year, just to keep things in perspective.
But it’s a good time to ask about illnesses in the workplace. According to CCH Workplace Analyst Heidi Henson, JD, “A pandemic could affect as many as 40 percent of the workforce during periods of peak illness.” Experts say that businesses should prepare a pandemic influenza plan in order to prepare for health emergencies involving their staff.
Does your company have such a plan in place? How do you feel about co-workers coming to work when they are obviously sick? Have you ever gone to work when you knew you were ill?
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11 comments Add your comment
becky for obama
April 30th, 2009
1:44 pm
I go to work when I am ill, because my company will fire you for calling out sick. So go
Vee
April 30th, 2009
1:58 pm
I have to say there are people that come to work here EVERY day sick … coughing and sneezing. The sad part is they have had whatever it is for 6-18 months. You would think they would have better since and go and take care of it. They just bring that nasty stuff to work with them everyday. Also, these people are very nasty because they cough and sneeze without covering their mouth. Also, whenever they are in the bathroom they ONLY run their hands under the water and then dry them. What kind of sense does that make to just run water. You would think by working at a technology company that profits billions you would have people with enough smarts to be clean and considerate of others. I know am talked about here because I spray Lysol all day every day as well as Netra Air.
Name (required)
April 30th, 2009
2:22 pm
I can’t say I’m worried. I’m in good health and tend to avoid situations where the media attempts to scare the public needlessly.
SAR
April 30th, 2009
2:55 pm
With the media hysteria on full throttle about the loss of jobs, the hosuing market and how wr’re about to have another great depression, people are worried about losing their jobs so they come to work sick. Before some to the media hysteria people would call in sick but now the employer can quote one of a thousand new articles about people being out of work, eating rats and living in tents in the woods.
WOW
April 30th, 2009
3:03 pm
I cannot believe that someone who voted for obama actually has a job. Thank you Becky for Obama for showing me the light.
klein.g@deutzusa.com
April 30th, 2009
3:03 pm
Thought you would like to read this.
Take care
Kathy Weinert
Ha!
April 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
I work with a bunch of pigs (Engineers) who take dumps and don’t wash their hands, so yes.
Nameless
April 30th, 2009
3:49 pm
I work for a company that is always looking for reason to fire their employers. I really hate that if we do have employers to get this, they may be out of a job. Employers in these tuff time just do not care about employees, it will just give them ground to fire you
Sarah
April 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
I’m sick of about every ugly person I work with.
Bronc
April 30th, 2009
4:07 pm
True is..companies talk about what they will do and talk and talk however no real actions are taken…they expect you to come to work no matter what…until someone dies then action is taken..sad but true that company loyalty is only seen when situations are at the worst..
Sheryl
May 29th, 2009
1:50 pm
I work for the CDC and I’m scared to death.