Will bird flu decimate your workforce?

Thousands of businesses are being urged to make contingency plans to deal with a potentially
disastrous global outbreak of avian flu.

The Financial Times have reported that the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is to ask
businesses to ensure they have adequate plans to deal with the scenario, in its financial risk
outlook document to be published in a fortnight.

The FSA said on Sunday [15 Jan] that bird flu was being added to the document as it had
emerged as a global risk. The annual document outlines areas the regulator believes will be
high risk for the sector in the coming 12 months. Previous risks have included terrorism and fire.

Many firms are thought to be drawing up 'disaster plans' to cope with mass sickness following
the disclosure from HSBC that it is devising ways to operate with only half its staff, who work in
77 countries worldwide.

The bank is understood to be preparing for staff to work from home, or via video link and
teleconference facilities. A number of companies have also bought large stocks of Tamiflu, the
antiviral drug thought to be most effective in combating bird flu.

Vodafone, Norwich Union and the accountancy firms PriceWaterhouseCoopers and KPMG say
they would also make arrangements for staff to work from home.

Last week the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the arrival of bird flu in Britain was
"inevitable and possibly imminent". The virus has now caused 77 deaths in six
countries, but should the strain mutate into a form that can be transmitted between humans,
experts believe it could potentially sweep around the world decimating workforces.

The WHO estimate that up to 25 per cent of the population is expected to be infected by the
virus if - as scientists predict - it arrives in Britain in a form that can be passed from human to
human.

The HSBC’s estimate is double this. The Department of Health also envisages a more
pessimistic situation, and has forecast that as many as half of Britain’s 60 million
population could be infected.

The Confederation of British Industry has commented:

"It is vital that companies have proper contingency plans in place to ensure they can ride
out any eventuality, and a pandemic flu outbreak is clearly a potential risk".

In the event of a flu pandemic caused by the mutation of bird flu the HSE have this advice for
employers: Advise your staff to stay at home if they are sick. It would be a wise
precaution to send home, at the earliest opportunity, any employees who are displaying flu-like

© Workplace Law Network 2006 Confidential 2nd Floor Daedalus House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2RE
t 0870 777 8881 f 0870 777 8882 e info@workplacelaw.net
signs/symptoms since retaining sick employees in the confines of a workplace will increase the
likelihood of further spread of the disease to the workforce.
If you have employees who can safely work from home then this should be identified and
encouraged. Opting for video-conferencing or tele-conferencing where possible instead of
holding meetings is a practical precaution. Remote electronic working, where feasible, will
reduce face-to-face meetings.
If your workforce is depleted it is important to ensure that appropriate training is given to
any remaining workers who may be required to carry out unfamiliar tasks. You may also need to
review risk assessments and apply the necessary control measures to take account of the
reduced workforce and the remaining pool of skills available to maintain your business.
Employee sickness absences may create a need for other employees, if willing, to work
longer hours in order to keep your business going. In this event, you will need to comply with the
requirements of the Working Time Regulations 1998 as amended to ensure appropriate length
of daytime working hours, night shifts and rest breaks.
Many people work in large open plan offices or workshops that are equipped with air
conditioning systems. Although there may be some advantages in switching off an air
conditioning system, the overall effect would be to create more static air which may result in
discomfort and ill health effects. The main advantage of air conditioning is that it has a dilution
effect on stale/contaminated air and also provides a more comfortable environment overall. The
HSE's advice is therefore to continue running any air conditioning system already provided.

© Workplace Law Network 2006 Confidential 2nd Floor Daedalus House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2RE
t 0870 777 8881 f 0870 777 8882 e info@workplacelaw.net
Services available from the Workplace Law Network

The Workplace Law Network provides legal advice, information and training to over 40,000 businesses in
the UK. We have been working closely for a number of years with many of the countryís leading
professional associations such as the British Institute of Facilities Management and the Royal Institute of British
Architects, helping to provide legal advice and information to their members.

Individual membership

Comprehensive information on employment, health and safety, and premises law and practice
One free online legal advice question per month, giving you peace of mind from the UKís top law firms and
consultants
E-mail alert service to keep you aware of changes in the law of the workplace
Over 100 online guides to key legal issues
SAVE 10% on all Network publications, training courses and conferences

Corporate membership

As individual membership, plus added benefits:

Customised access for your organisation, with corporate branding and links to your intranet
You set levels of access and security for your companyís users depending on their seniority
Exclusive access to all our books online
Huge savings on corporate membership rates
Telephone support, weekdays 9am-5pm
File sharing with other members

Books

A range of plain English books and special reports.

Training courses

More than 40 tailor-made in-house training courses on all aspects of employment, health and safety and premises
management.

Conferences

Hugely popular two-day residential events for senior managers, recommended by over 90% of
delegates, as well as the annual Workplace Law Summer School.

Please contact:

Workplace Law Group Ltd

2nd Floor
Daedalus House
Station Road
Cambridge CB1 2RE

Tel. 0870 777 8881

Fax 0870 777 8882

e-mail info@workplacelaw.net

www.workplacelaw.net

© Workplace Law Network 2006 Confidential 2nd Floor Daedalus House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2RE
t 0870 777 8881 f 0870 777 8882 e info@workplacelaw.net