How to Prepare for the Pandemic Flu
Even though this year’s flu season is coming to an end, it is important for your organization to start taking steps toward preparing for a possible pandemic flu outbreak. A global pandemic influenza outbreak would occur when a new influenza A virus (likely a strain of the avian flu, A.K.A. “bird flu”) appears in humans, causes serious illness and then spreads quickly and easily from person to person worldwide. Most experts agree that there is a growing and significant threat of a global pandemic in this area, and the potential economic impact would be significant. In fact, few industries will be protected from the financial effects resulting from absenteeism.
What could a pandemic flu mean to your organization? Just image your workforce being reduced by 10-40% over several months. A pandemic flu could kill over a half of million people in the U.S., hospitalize 2 million more and cost our economy an estimated $160- $675 billion. The World Health Organization believes that a pandemic could infect 25-30 percent of the world’s population.
Since there is no way to predict when this threat may occur and the creation of a new vaccine to combat it could take six months to a whole year to develop, businesses need to play a key role in protecting their employee’s health and safety now. Below are steps you can take to ensure a safe working environment for your organization in the event of a pandemic flu.
- Identify your company’s essential functions and check to see if your core business activities can be sustained over several weeks with minimal workforce availability.
- Update sick and family medical leave policies and communicate with employees the importance of staying away from the workplace if they become ill.
- Work with your insurers, health plans and major medical facilities to learn about their capabilities and plans.
- Plan for shortages in governmental services like sanitation, water, power and transportation.
- Maintain a healthy work environment. Post tips on how to stop the spread of germs at work.
- Communicate with your staff on the steps the company is taking to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak.
For more information on this subject, click on the following links:
Pandemic Planning (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
"It's Not Flu as Usual"
(The Chamber and the Trust for
Questions or comments about this article? Email us at comments@hcwbenefits.com.
* * * * *
This is the last day to contribute your answer to HCW's Employer Survey Question of the Month at www.hcwbenefits.com! This month's question is: "What type of wellness initiatives have you implemented or are planning to implement to help reduce your claims costs?"
Go to www.hcwbenefits.com today, give your answer and see how your peers responded!
Please Note: If you no longer wish to receive communications of this nature from Hill, Chesson & Woody, please reply to the sender of the email with the word "unsubscribe" in the header. Thank you.
Important Notice: Hill, Chesson & Woody does not engage in the practice of law, accounting, or medicine. Therefore, the contents of this communication should not be regarded as a substitute for legal, tax, or medical advice.
March 30, 2007
Hill, Chesson & Woody strives to keep our clients' group decision makers abreast of trends influencing the employee benefits market. Look for Eyes on Benefits to bring you news and information affecting you and your employees.
194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200,
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919.403.1986
Fax: 919.913.0237
www.hcwbenefits.com