Posted By Buzz Just wondered how other organisations are managing this when the individual can self-certify up to a week?

Posted By LMR Somethings needs to be addressed where companies have Bradford point schemes or bonus payments dependant upon full attendance at work and having these suspended for the duration. My daughter got swine flu and with underlying health conditions has been very ill; she has lost her annual bonus. The virus was taken into her work place by someone who did not want to lose their bonus so carried on working whilst obviously suffering the symptoms. As a result I have had to be treated with tamiflu and move out of my house leaving her in quarantine. My other daughter, son in law and two grandchildren (on only 5 months old) have also had to be treated with tamiflu. In total 15 of us in my family have been affected by one person who did not want to lose a cash bonus! The company have since had their entire workforce ill to one degree or another and some have worked through to the weekend and returned on the Monday. But he has saved paying the bonus to a lot of the staff! Self certified or not for 7 or 14 days will make little difference if the penalties of being absent affect the workers pocket or can be accumulated for possible disciplinary actions. A chicken or egg situation?

Posted By Chris Packham Just one comment on this. As I understand it people are infectious well before they have any symptoms. So it is perfectly possible that someone can transmit the infection in a workplace whilst completely unaware that they have the flu. Chris

Posted By PhilP Sorry to go off thread but to answer Chris, all of the current guidance states that a person is not contagious until symtomatic. The follow thread links to several points of reverence. http://www.businesslink....=www.businesslink.gov.uk Happy reading Philip

Posted By Chris Packham PhilP All? How long can an infected person spread this virus to others? At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. CDC is studying the virus and its capabilities to try to learn more and will provide more information as it becomes available. From Center for Disease Control website on H1N1 virus. Chris

Posted By John Richards Since surgeries are on high-alert because of swine flu, and patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms are NOT allowed into the surgeries, it may take a while to get a "sick-note".

Posted By Seamus O Sullivan Hi I am wondering If a staff member does have flu like illness and insists in going to work. what can be used to insist the person goes home. I notice that in Ireland people with H1N1 are quarantined at home, if the person says sod this I am off to a Foosball match in the city, can they be forced to stay at home. I know this is an unusual question, and common sense would suggest stay at home. The mental health act would not apply here, so what other grounds can you think of to keep the person at home. More worrying I recently heard on the radio that tamiflu does not help some with H1N1. Regards Seamus

Posted By John Richards If they have swine flu then their use to industry, other than as a disease vector, is extremely limited.

Posted By Buzz Good link John!!! The one about people wanting to come into work is interesting as whilst most people want to stay off work when they are sick, there are quite a few people that will drag themselves in regardless. The one about absentee management is this... If the person self certifies for a week, which they can do, this should more than cover the incubation period of the condition; and for most people they will feel fit to come back to work after a week, some before. However, flu effects people differently and what if the person is still feeling ill on day 8? They can no longer self certify but will they be seen by a doctor to get a sick certificate? If not, how will the employer manage this? For most managers you know who's pulling a fast one and who isn't; but what can you do? Also, should I point out that you can catch this more than one?......another topic maybe :)