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H1N1 & Attendance Policies
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H1N1 & Attendance Policies
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
I am interested in hearing what others are planning to do around flu-related absences and modifying attendance policies - will you excuse "flu" absences and not count them? If so, will you require doc
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Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » H1N1 & Attendance Policies
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H1N1 & Attendance Policies
posted at 10/7/2009 8:59 AM EDT
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Posts: 464
First: 6/30/2004 Last: 11/22/2010 |
Yes.
We have already noticed significantly higher absenteeism specifically related to H1N1. When you add these occurrences to the "normal" count of flu related absence, it led us to look at what we might do to minimize the impact on our workplace. We deal with a significant population of children and families and perhaps have a higher degree of exposure to folks that have all kinds of flu. We don't want our work force to come in sick and expose others. Our staff tend to do that because they need the dollars. Most of their sick time is spent taking care of their children when they get sick (for whatever reason) and they just bear down and come to work when they have symptoms that suggest they are contagious. We send them home when that happens, but want to minimize the impact that we can control with respect to attendance discipline. We do regular sanitizing of our common areas, which includes a child play area, and the areas on the sides of our cubicles where the clients sit while being interviewed. I don't know how much it helps, but it does relax the minds of our staff and, I admit, myself. We are doing all we can to address this. We had website links posted and hand sanitizer supplies at strategic places with signs encouraging staff and clients to use the products. I know hope is not a stragegy, but none-the-less, we hope it helps. |
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H1N1 & Attendance Policies
posted at 10/13/2009 6:53 AM EDT
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Posts: 6
First: 4/4/2006 Last: 10/13/2009 |
I posted earlier changes to our policies we were considering in response to H1N1. We are a large multi-hospital system.
We have decided at this point to stick with our current no-fault attendance policy and not make any changes to it at this point for the H1N1 or other flu. We are asking managers to ask employees if their absence is H1N1 related and are tracking this in our employee health. Those out for the flu will have to be cleared by employee health before returning to work. Hospitals in our area are however, restricting visitors, as we are to try to limit patient exposure. We will continue to monitor the situation and make revise our approach as needed. My state (Indiana) is just starting to give health care workers the H1N1 vaccine. |
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H1N1 & Attendance Policies
posted at 10/21/2009 8:38 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 11/18/2004 Last: 10/21/2009 |
According to our attorney, we can not discriminate against certain diseases - so, for the period of 10/09 through 3/10, we will modify our attendance policy whereas anyone who has a contageous disease and brings a doctors note in, that period of absence will not be counted towards our attendance system |
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H1N1 & Attendance Policies
posted at 10/21/2009 9:01 AM EDT
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Posts: 6
First: 11/28/2000 Last: 10/21/2009 |
Our generous, company-paid short term disability plan covers employees with flu the same as any other health condition that a doctor certifies for time off. FMLA is assigned for employees off work to care for family members with flu. So, no changes are needed to our attendance policy. |
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H1N1 & Attendance Policies
posted at 11/21/2009 5:39 PM EST
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Posts: 3
First: 11/21/2009 Last: 11/28/2009 |
This is very important. Remember that this might be attached to FMLA policies IF employee is facing a situation related to a serious health condition under those provisions. you should reevaluate your policy taking this in to consideration and also your sick days (if available). it is important for employees to understand what to expect.
Cristancho HR Consulting San Antonio, TX www.CristanchoHR.com |
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