Posted By Tommy Cooper We have had a worker phone in sick with Chicken Pox today. Where do I stand about letting two of our pregnant workers continue their duties? They will be using the same equipment as used by the ill person previously. Should I send them home on full pay, and if so, how long for?

Posted By Anthony Elsmore Tommy, It is not quite so cut and dried that you cannot catch this virus again. Immunological memeory is the process by which individuals build up defences to diseases. As with all things biological this is not always completely effective. So reinfection is always possible. Especially if the person is exposed to a different sub type of the virus. There is an initial period with Chicken Pox where individuals will spread the disease before displaying symptoms. So chances are workers if they are going to get the disease have already been exposed. If the infected person is now of work you have done all you can to prevent infection from known sources. I suggest you clean all close contact equipment (e.g phones) with a disinfectant solution to shut down that route of infection. There is nothing further you can do. Cheers Ant

Posted By Arran Linton - Smith Incidentally the risk to an unborn baby of catching chicken pox (only from an infected mother) is 1 in 100. See: http://www.nhsborders.or..._item.aspx?item_id=17105 As an ex occupational health nurse, I feel that this matter should strictly be handled in the workplace by an OH Physician or nurse and would be outside the competence of most Safety and Health Practitioners. See Code Point 5 of the Code of Competence.

Posted By Lilian McCartney Go to www.nhsdirect.org.uk they have info on chickenpox and how it spreads etc. Taking care how you do this, I would advise the pregnant employees that if they have any concerns they should consult their GP or midwife. Having the NHS Direct info for your guidance (on first reading some people might be over anxious) will help explain to them. Depending on equipment used e.g. if DSE it would easy enough to clean keyboards etc. I expect that as it can be caught from coughing the people have already been exposed to the employee off sick with this. My experience is that when advised correctly pregnant women are usually okay and ask their GP/midwife if they have any concerns (particularly if they have had previous pregnancy difficulties). You might also consider advising those who might be pregnant but don't know yet, however, be aware of the sick persons feelings if they think that everyone is talking about it or knows when they don't need to - some people don't like others knowing why they are off sick but the duty to the folk who might have been infected and at higher risk has to take precedence e.g. the muscle condition I have just now is autoimmune and although I have had chickenpox as a child I am now at a high risk if I come into contact with it again (on steroids) Good luck Lilian

Posted By Jim Walker I would also praise your sick employee for staying away from work AND letting you know promptly why he was off sick. Here is an excellent example as to why people should not have their arms twisted to work. when unwell.

Posted By GeoffB4 But most companies don't have occupational health provision. So surely the best advice is to let employees know the situation and advise them to seek advice from their GPs in they feel the need.