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Report Link Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: Re-Thinking Employee Health & Wellness Before a Crisis Affects Your WorkplaceFisher & Phillips, LLP - November 19, 2009 An influenza pandemic could have a major effect on the economy and all areas of commerce and employment. Business planning for pandemic influenza is essential to minimize a pandemic's impact. In the event of an influenza pandemic, employers will play a critical role in protecting employees' health, safety, and overall well-being. Report Link Better Safe than Sorry: 5 Commonsense Considerations for Employers in the Face of the H1N1 Outbreak.Vedder Price - November 09, 2009 Panic or pandemic? Right now,
nobody can say for certain what
course the H1N1 virus will take
in the upcoming months. It may
end up like the Bird Flu scare,
having little discernible impact.
Or, our worst fears may be
realized with a widespread
pandemic and disruption to our
daily lives. One thing is certain,
we are already feeling the
effects with mass school
closings, long lines for flu shots,
and chaos in many
pediatricians’ offices. Report Link If A Pandemic Strikes...Fisher & Phillips, LLP - November 05, 2009 With the advent of the H1N1 flu, businesses are preparing for the worst, and hospitals are not exempt from this preparation. While other employers will practice "social distancing," or keeping away from other people's germs, hospitals will be treating the worst H1N1 cases, exposing employees to the virus. Hospitals must have a continuity plan in place so that the facility can operate as normal. Pandemics can create staff shortages due to absences of sick employees and employees taking time off to care for sick family members. Suppliers may be short staffed too, and deliveries of products may be interrupted. Report Link Swine Flu Threat Good For Unions?Fisher & Phillips, LLP - November 05, 2009 Using scare tactics to drum up fear has long been used by unions to generate unhappy employees, and to provide a good environment for unionization. Some unions are now using the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, to create controversy, rather than unifying and assisting hospitals and other industry employers in preparing for a possible pandemic. Finding a topic to exploit with workers is nothing new, and using a topic that scares many and can create a panic is just icing on the cake. Report Link Pandemic Planning - Are You Prepared For This Year's Flu Season?Ogletree Deakins - November 03, 2009 The H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu, has grabbed headlines and worried millions. The federal government has taken an active role in helping to educate the public regarding prevention and containment of the flu. Most employers have felt the impact of H1N1, and even more are wondering the extent to which their operations will be affected as we approach the heart of the flu season. As a result, employers are preparing pandemic flu plans and taking precautions to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. Report Link Planning for a Pandemic: The EEOC Issues Guidance.Littler Mendelson, P.C. - October 28, 2009 Each year an average of 36,000 people die and over 200,000 people are hospitalized in the United States due to flu-related complications.1 In addition to seasonal flu, an outbreak of H1N1 influenza (often referred to as "Swine Flu") has greatly increased the number of people at risk this flu season. Report Link PREPARING FOR THE FLU SEASON: NEW EEOC GUIDANCE. Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt - October 26, 2009 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
("EEOC") has issued technical assistance guidance to help employers prepare for a potential pandemic of the H1N1 flu ("the swine flu"), without running afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). When employees become ill or travel to parts of the world affected by certain illnesses, employers are often left questioning how they may proceed to protect the workplace and its employees, without violating individual rights. Report Link EEOC Published Flu Pandemic Guidelines.Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP - October 26, 2009 Wondering what it is okay to say and do with regard to employees who have, or might have, the flu? The EEOC has stepped up with information to clarify with information about flu-related issues based on the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. The World Heath Organization posts periodic updates on the status of the H1N1 pandemic, which has been in phase 6 (sustained community-level transmission of the virus is taking place in more than one region of the world) since June 2009. Delaware is one of the states that the United States Center for Disease Control currently considers to be experiencing a “widespread” H1N1 flu outbreak. Report Link OSHA Will Issue Directive Enforcing CDC's H1N1 Guidance for Healthcare Organizations.Jackson Lewis LLP - October 23, 2009 Marking the federal government’s first move from a “recommendation” to a “requirement” in dealing with H1N1, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that it will issue a compliance directive to enforce the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel. Report Link Top Ten Ways to Prepare for H1N1.Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC - October 23, 2009 Flu season is here and cases of the H1N1 virus are on the rise; many health care and government officials have predicted the possibility of a pandemic. Even without a pandemic, there are increased employee illnesses and resulting absences to deal with, concerns about work coverage issues, and fears of potential exposure at work. Employers should work to address these concerns. Report Link H1N1 Q&A (pdf).Ogletree Deakins - October 13, 2009 26 questions and answers about H1N1 and workplace law. Report Link CDC Guidelines Urge Employers to Prepare Now for Upcoming Flu Season.Jackson Lewis LLP - September 30, 2009 Anxiety over the new H1N1 flu may have eased during the summer, but the federal government has reminded us that seasonal and H1N1 flu may again command concern with the coming of fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anticipating a spread of the H1N1 flu, has released new guidelines (available at http://www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/guidance.html) to help businesses and employers prepare now for the impact seasonal and H1N1 flu could have on employers, employees and operations. Report Link Swine Flu, Employment Law, and YOU!Schwarzberg & Associates - September 24, 2009 A recent report from the Presidential Advisory Panel predicts that 1.8 million Americans will be hospitalized with the Swine Flu and as many as 90,000 Americans will die from it this flu season. While much of the focus has been on keeping children safe and healthy, seemingly little has been said about the impact of Swine Flu (or other pandemic flu) on employers. Report Link A Flu Update: Proactive Employer Preparations in Advance of a Potential Pandemic.Fisher & Phillips, LLP - September 10, 2009 Government health officials predict millions of Americans will contract the novel H1N1 flu virus, commonly called the Swine Flu. No business will be immune from the effects of this virus. Employers should prepare for the impact of a pandemic on the workplace with a sense of urgency. Proper planning for this serious employment challenge will be essential to protect the health of employees while avoiding disruption of operations. Report Link H1N1 Is Coming Back! Are You Prepared?Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC - August 28, 2009 The influenza A (H1N1) virus, or “swine flu,” has emerged as a highly-contagious illness with the capacity to incapacitate its victims for 3-7 days or more. Since its outbreak, many scientific models project that H1N1 is likely to reemerge this fall as a more easily transmitted and/or more serious virus, and recent statistics predict as many as half of all Americans will be affected. Report Link Government Urges Employers to Encourage Sick Employees to Remain at Home During Influenza Season.Ford & Harrison LLP - August 27, 2009 Three federal agencies recently issued a joint press release announcing the release of a new guidance to help businesses plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. The press release issued by the Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano urges employers to "set the right tone in the workplace" including implementing common sense measures to reduce the risk of spreading the flu and encouraging workers who are sick to stay home. The press release notes that the guidance will help employers prepare for the upcoming influenza season, which will help ensure business continuity necessary to keep the economy functioning. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued the guidance and a communication toolkit to assist employers in preparing for influenza. Report Link CDC Guidelines Urge Employers to Prepare Now for Upcoming Flu Season.Jackson Lewis LLP - August 21, 2009 Anxiety over the new H1N1 flu may have eased during the summer, but the federal government has reminded us that seasonal and H1N1 flu may again command concern with the coming of fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anticipating a spread of the H1N1 flu, has released new guidelines (available at http://www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/guidance.html) to help businesses and employers prepare now for the impact seasonal and H1N1 flu could have on employers, employees and operations. Report Link Swine Flu Pandemic - Advice for Employers.Ford & Harrison LLP - July 30, 2009 The swine flu pandemic means employers need to take steps to protect workers. In this article, Ford Harrison provides advice for employers on swine flu infection control procedures. We also discuss the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on employers' pandemic preparation efforts. Report Link The Swine Flu Outbreak: Questions Answered, Practical Prevention Advice, And Planning If The Situation Gets Worse.Ogletree Deakins - May 18, 2009 With the media focusing on the increasing number of swine flu cases reported in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere, employers need to be prepared to address their employees’ concerns. Report Link Keeping Safe From Swine Flu While Complying With the Laws Is A Tall Order.Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP - May 14, 2009 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the event that the H1N1 virus (formerly known as swine flu) becomes a pandemic, businesses and other employers will play a key role in protecting employees’ health and safety, as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Proper planning by employers for this contingency is critical to successfully performing that role. Report Link VIRAL MANAGING.Shaw Valenza LLP - May 12, 2009 Employers are struggling to make ends meet under difficult economic conditions. They have reduced their workforces so that the remaining employees must do more with less help. The last thing we need is a flu outbreak. Report Link EEOC Issues Guidance Regarding ADA-Compliant Workplace Preparation for the Swine Flu.Ford & Harrison LLP - May 07, 2009 On May 4, 2009, the EEOC issued guidance regarding ADA-compliant workplace preparation strategies for the 2009 H1N1 flu virus (swine flu). Report Link Pandemic Planning: Are You Prepared?Ogletree Deakins - May 04, 2009 After dealing with the economic downturn and the new FMLA regulations, amended ADA obligations, and new COBRA requirements, HR and legal professionals now move on (or perhaps return) to pandemic planning. The media attention and public interest are intense, especially after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5. As WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said, "[C]ertain actions should now be undertaken with increased urgency, and at an accelerated pace." Report Link Employment Concerns Arising From H1N1 Flu.Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC - May 04, 2009 On April 26, 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in connection with human infections of the H1N1 influenza virus (aka "swine flu"), and the World Health Organization is on the verge of declaring it a pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 286 laboratory-confirmed U.S. cases in 36 states as of May 4, 2009, and medical professionals predict that H1N1 may last well through next fall and winter, when it is predicted to gain momentum in North America. Although the final magnitude and scope of H1N1 is unknown, employers will face many challenging issues that will require them to take affirmative steps to protect their workers and operations. Report Link Preparing Your Workplace for a Possible Flu PandemicGray Plant Mooty - May 01, 2009 Given the growing number of countries with confirmed swine flu cases, employers should give serious consideration to embarking on or updating their pandemic planning efforts. Employers are legally obligated to provide a safe workplace, and it is usually difficult to plan for and respond thoughtfully to a crisis in its midst. At a minimum, employers should stay informed so they can act quickly should the need arise. Report Link Before Disaster Strikes: Employers Should Think Strategically Before a Public Health Emergency Occurs.Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson, LLP. - May 01, 2009 In the past few days, United States health officials have declared a public health emergency over the steadily increasing number of humans affected by Swine Influenza. This declaration, and the intensive media coverage that followed, has sparked nationwide concern as the government and its various health agencies hasten to contain the outbreak. While Swine Influenza has yet to be declared a pandemic, the prospect that it could become more widespread raises an important question: does your business have sufficient mechanisms in place to deal with a public health emergency or other disaster? Report Link Preparing for Swine Flu Pandemic.Vedder Price - May 01, 2009 With world governments and health organizations
closely monitoring outbreaks of swine fl u, media and
public attention is again focused on the threat of a
pandemic fl u outbreak. These recent events present
a good occasion for employers to conduct a self-audit
of their own preparedness for human resourcesrelated
issues in connection with a pandemic outbreak
or any other emergency situation. These issues
include high rates of employee absenteeism, a need
to conduct off-site operations and general business
disruption. Report Link Practical Pandemic Preparation.Fisher & Phillips, LLP - April 30, 2009 Health experts have long warned that the question is not whether we will have a pandemic, but when one will strike. Now, world governments and health organizations are closely monitoring outbreaks of swine flu that have reportedly killed more than 150 people and sickened more than 1,600 across Mexico. As of April 29, confirmed U.S. cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) reportedly numbered over 60 in California, Kansas, Indiana, New York City, Ohio, and Texas which includes one death. Report Link How Employers Should Respond to the Swine Flu Outbreak.Jackson Lewis LLP - April 28, 2009 With the increasing number of swine flu cases reported in the United States and Mexico, and the media attention surrounding the outbreak, many of your employees may have concerns regarding their potential for exposure to the flu at work and the steps you are taking to ensure their well-being. Report Link Swine Flu: Preparing the Workplace for a Pandemic.Littler Mendelson, P.C. - April 28, 2009 The United States has declared a "health emergency" regarding an outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1). As of April 28, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 64 cases of infected individuals in five states (New York, California, Texas, Kansas and Ohio).1 California's governor has activated the California Department of Public Health's Emergency Operations Center. New York's governor has activated its emergency preparedness plan. Cases have been reported in Mexico, Canada, Spain, Scotland and New Zealand. Many in Mexico have died of the flu virus. On Saturday, April 25, 2009, the World Health Organization, upon the advice of the Emergency Committee called under the rules of the International Health Regulations, also declared this event a "public health emergency of international concern." The European Union's health commissioner has urged Europeans to avoid nonessential travel to the United States or Mexico. The CDC, on April 27, also issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. Report Link Tuberculosis In The Workplace.Littler Mendelson, P.C. - July 29, 2008 Employee enters your office, shakes your hand, coughs, and then sits in your chair to tell you that he needs time off because the doctor has informed him that he has "active tuberculosis" and will need some time away from work while undergoing treatment. What happens next? Report Link Antiviral Drug Stockpiling for Pandemic Planning.Littler Mendelson, P.C. - July 10, 2008 Avian flu has not been in the news as much lately. Even if there is certain amount of "flu fatigue" because the anticipated pandemic has not yet developed, employers and federal, state and local governments are actively engaged in a wide range of planning activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued "Proposed Considerations for Antiviral Drug Stockpiling by Employers in Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic." Report Link Pandemic – Is Your Workplace Prepared for Disaster? (pdf).Littler Mendelson, P.C. - June 11, 2008 This article, authored by Donald Benson of Littler's Atlanta office and Julie Adams of Littler's Charlotte office, examines the nature and threat of the pandemic occurrence of a disease such as avian influenza and its possible effects on North Carolina Business operations. In addition, the article discusses the pertinent federal and North Carolina state regulations and guidelines and highlights major legal and logistical issues on which counsel should advise business clients in an effort to ensure that they are properly prepared for a possible pandemic. Report Link Staph Infections in the Workplace.Littler Mendelson, P.C. - October 30, 2007 Recent news reports detail super-drug-resistant staph infections in schools across the country and school closings for the cleaning of shared surfaces, particularly with respect to shower areas and shared sports equipment.1 Employers should prepare for anticipated questions from employees about rumors of such super-staph infections among coworkers, contamination risks in the workplace, and precautions that the employer is implementing to maintain a safe work environment. Report Link OSHA Provides Guidance for Health Care Facilities and Workers on Global Flu Preparedness and Response.Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC - June 14, 2007 Prompted by increased concerns of an influenza pandemic and the need to protect healthcare workers and facilities as the first line of defense, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") recently issued its "Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers." This guidance provides a comprehensive resource for health care facilities and employers and builds upon its earlier publication, "Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic," which offers general guidance for all types of workplaces and identifies health care facilities and workers as at the highest occupational risk for pandemic influenza. Report Link OSHA Issues Guidance on Pandemic Preparation for Healthcare Workers and Employers.Ford & Harrison LLP - June 01, 2007 While all employers should take the possibility of a flu pandemic into account when creating disaster preparedness plans, professionals working in the healthcare industry would face an especially daunting challenge during such a global outbreak. Since hospitals, emergency medical personnel, and other health professionals will be the first responders to a viral outbreak, healthcare employers should craft a preparedness plan designed to maximize both the safety of their own workers and the effectiveness of their response. Citing these needs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a new guidance entitled "Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers." The 104-page manual, now available on OSHA’s official website, http://www.osha.gov, provides a detailed plan for preparing for, and responding to, a potential influenza pandemic. Report Link Leave Issues at the Forefront of Emergency Preparedness Planning (pdf).Vedder Price - January 29, 2007 Each employer faces unique issues in the event of an avian fl u outbreak or other pandemic. Are your employees more susceptible to infection because they handle raw poultry, may be traveling to locations where there have been outbreaks, or are health care workers who may treat contaminated patients? Does your organization provide critical infrastructure services, such as power, telecommunications, or healthcare and, therefore, has a special responsibility to plan for continued operation during a crisis? These are a few of the questions each organization must consider in preparing for a potential avian fl u epidemic. This bulletin discusses the most common issue all employers would face: how to treat employees who must or want to take time off during a pandemic or other crisis.
Report Link Emergency Preparedness Includes Consideration of a Work-at-Home Policy (pdf).Vedder Price - December 13, 2006 In the event of avian fl u or other health crisis, employers likely will face mass absenteeism of employees who become ill or must care for family members or friends or choose not to come to work for fear of becoming contaminated through exposure to other people. Employers may be able to mitigate the adverse effect of widespread absenteeism by allowing employees who are well enough to work from home. A telecommuting or work-at-home policy raises a number of legal issues that ought to be considered now before an employer is inundated with requests from employees who want to work from home and maintain a salary stream during a health or other crisis. Report Link Start Thinking About a Communicable Disease Policy (pdf).Vedder Price - December 07, 2006 Although communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis occasionally have raised concerns among companies and employees, the potential impact of avian fl u on the nation’s employers is a real concern to the United States government. The best time to plan and implement a communicable disease policy (CDP) is before it is needed.
Report Link Pandemic Planning: Are You Prepared? (pdf)Ogletree Deakins - September 11, 2006 Report Link Preparing for the Avian Flu Pandemic (pdf).Vedder Price - July 31, 2006 In recent months, there has been growing concern about the possibility of a pandemic flu outbreak. As of June 29, 2006,
the deadly avian flu strain (H5NI reference) had been confirmed in 53 countries and linked to 228 reported human cases.
Although human-to-human transmission (a precursor to any pandemic outbreak) has not been detected, the continuous
mutation and reassortment of the virus makes this development likely, according to some experts. Report Link Is Your Business Ready for a Flu Pandemic?Ford & Harrison LLP - June 30, 2006 In light of the extensive news coverage given to the possibility of an Avian flu pandemic, many employers are concerned about their operations as well as potential legal obligations should such a pandemic occur. This Alert provides guidance for developing a plan to help ensure the safety of the workplace should a pandemic occur. Having operational as well as communication plans may also prepare the organization in the event of other emergencies. Report Link Avian Flu Challenges; Act Now to Create Communicable Disease Policies (pdf).Littler Mendelson, P.C. - February 08, 2006 In this Littler attorney authored article, Dale Deitchler warns employers about the dangers of not having a communicable disease policy in place in case of an avian flu pandemic. He discusses the importance of employee relations and regulatory concerns of OSHA, and privacy issues under HIPAA that could severely effect employers should the pandemic arise. Dale also offers planning and preparedness advice to employers about education, corporate travel policies, operating procedures, and hygeine and health etiquette.
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