With all the talk lately about the H1N1 Influenza, I thought it would be best to post information for employee’s to read. Please see below for frequently asked questions and the answers.

1. What is H1N1 influenza?

H1N1 influenza is a strain of influenza that originated in swine, but can also make people sick. It is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms much like those of the regular seasonal influenza.

2. What are the symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 influenza viruses?

Flu viruses result in similar symptoms, which range from mild to severe. Symptoms include sudden fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches. In children under the age of five, vomiting and diarrhea are more common and fever may not be prominent.

3. What can I do to prevent the spread of illness?
•Wash your hands thoroughly and often with hot water and liquid soap, and assist children in your care to do so as well.
•Use hand sanitizers if water and soap are not available.
•Sneeze and cough into your sleeve, and encourage children in your care to do so as well.
•Stay at home if you are sick, and reduce contact with family members and the public.

4. I am an employee. What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms or think I’ve been exposed to flu?

Staff experiencing flu-like symptoms or who were exposed to someone who has told them they have the flu should contact their personal physicians. Employees who do not have a personal physician should visit a doctor at their nearest walk-in clinic. Employees experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever with cough and/or sore throat) should not come to work and should self-isolate in their homes until they are no longer contagious and feeling better. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person’s fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

5. I am an employee feeling sick. Should I still report to work?

Employees experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever with cough and/or sore throat) should not come to work and should self-isolate in their homes until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person’s fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

Employees feeling sick should notify their supervisor of their absence from work and contact their personal physicians.

6. I am a supervisor/manager and someone on my staff is exhibiting flu-like symptoms. What should I do?

If you are a supervisor and one of your employees is exhibiting flu-like symptoms, supervisors should instruct the employee to stay home from work until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person’s fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that a sick employee stays out of the workplace for the appropriate amount of time to avoid the potential of spreading illness to others in the office.
Supervisors also should encourage employees exhibiting flu-like symptoms to contact their doctor.

7. Will I be paid if I’m an employee who goes home during the day because I’m exhibiting flu-like symptoms?

If you have available sporadic absence or vacation time, you should get paid for the time you are out of the workplace. Union employees should refer to their collective bargaining agreements.

For more information, visit the SDHU Web page:

http://www.sdhu.com/index.asp?lang=0

8. I am an employee and my children are sick with flu. Can I leave work to care for them?

If you must be absent from work to care for your children, employees should notify your supervisor.

9. Where can I get more information about reducing the spread of illness in my workplace and what I should do if a coworker is ill with flu?

Detailed guidance for employees and Human Resources policies related to flu in the workplace, including more frequently asked questions, can be found on the SDHU Web page:

http://www.sdhu.com/index.asp?lang=0

Posted By:

Samantha Lefebvre- Sales and Marketing Coordinator at the Levert Corporation located in Sudbury, Ontario. Canada. She can be reached via email at slefebvre@levert.ca or Toll Free 1-800-461-5934 or visit www.levert.ca and start your job search now.