According to a new Mercer survey, these actions are primarily concerned with hygiene and prevention, health information and advice, education and communication, and absence management with regard to H1N1. The survey, which includes responses from nearly 1,000 organisations, assesses what companies are doing to plan, communicate and minimise their risk as H1N1 continues to spread. It was conducted in October, and questioned employers located in the United States, Latin America, Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Russell Robbins, a principal and senior clinical consultant for Mercer’s health and benefits consulting business said; “Organisations around the world are facing the same concerns and issues with regard to H1N1. Contingency plans are crucial and should define how to maximise health, safety and productivity in the workplace in the event of a pandemic. Additionally, HR policies and benefits need to be assessed as sources of information and communication with employees.”
 
While 52 percent have a local contingency plan that applies to either some or all functions, only 25 percent of companies have integrated contingency plans that apply to all functions and all of their locations. Robbins insisted; “Companies that do not have contingency plans in place should develop them now as it will be too late when an epidemic or disaster strikes later.”

To limit workforce risk from H1N1, the majority of companies are implementing services such as distributing hand sanitizers (94 percent), implementing more frequent or intensive office cleaning (64 percent) and providing educational sessions (54 percent). To educate their employees in case the H1N1 virus strikes their office, business have provided information on personal hygiene and flu and healthcare protocols, and several have also explained how to handle possible restrictions or quarantine provisions. From the surveyed companies, 67 percent have launched such programs. In Latin America and Asia, the percentages are slightly higher, probably because more cases were detected earlier on in these regions. Fewer companies are also offering services such as medication, referrals and follow-up care, in order to combat or limit the spread of the virus in their offices.
 
Business interruptions
Mercer’s survey showed almost all companies have prepared themselves for a business interruption due to the virus. They have contact information of their employees in case of infection and of their clients to notify them of possible drawbacks. However, only a third of surveyed companies have issued guidance to their employees regarding the message that should be given to clients and suppliers should the business be affected.

Communicating with vendors
According to Robbins; “Communications with vendors is just as important as with your employees. Employers can still be impacted even if all of their employees are healthy but their supplier is unable to provide goods or services due to H1N1 or a school closure requires healthy employees to stay home to provide care to a family member.” Only 37 percent of businesses indicated that they have met with medical and absence management vendors to review absence duration and return to work guidelines for their employees.

Mercer/ Expatica/ EG