Flu Prep For Small Businesses
 By B.J. Addington

In September, the U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing about preparing small businesses for the challenges of 2009 H1N1 influenza.

Representatives from numerous government agencies offered recommendations for helping small-business owners cope with an H1N1 outbreak. The bottom line? Prepare your business now.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, who testified at the hearing on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services, said:

“Small businesses can help prepare by assessing their essential functions and the reliance that others in the community have on their services or products. To maintain critical operations, small businesses should be prepared to change business practices as needed during an outbreak. For instance, small businesses should prepare to identify alternative suppliers, prioritize customers or temporarily suspend some operations as needed.”

Here a few resources to help you get ready for a potential H1N1 outbreak.

1. Planning for the flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Department for Homeland Security (DHS), has updated recommendations in the booklet “CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to the 2009–2010 Influenza Season.” It’s available on the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov, and the www.flu.gov Web site.

You’ll find recommendations such as:

• Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are well aware of these policies.
• Talk with companies that provide your company with contract or temporary workers about the importance of sick workers staying home and encourage them to develop non-punitive leave policies.
• Do not require a doctor’s note for workers who are sick with influenza-like illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as doctor’s offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

2. Communicating about the flu
At www.flu.gov, you’ll find “Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Business and Employers.” It gives small-business owners all sorts of helpful resources for communicating with employees about the flu. It includes:

• Fact sheets for employers and employees
• Three templates for e-mails or letters that you can send to employees, with topics such as how to stay healthy
• Text messages that business owners can send to their employees
• Posters that remind sick employees to stay home
• And more

3. Preparing your business’s flu plan
DHS, the CDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration have developed a booklet to help small-business owners understand what impact a new influenza virus, like 2009 H1N1 flu, might have on their operations, and how important it is to have a written plan for guiding your business through a possible pandemic.

The booklet, “Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Business,” is available to read online or as a printable PDF. You can find it at www.pandemicflu.gov. The booklet includes topics such as:

• How to write a plan
• 10 tips to keeping your business healthy
• Frequently asked questions
• And more

4. Using your AFS benefits
Your AFS benefits can help you reduce costs when fighting the flu and other illnesses. Remember to access these and more of your money-saving benefits:

• TelaDoc™, when you need to speak to a doctor but can’t reach your primary care physician.
• ExtraCare health card from CVS/Caremark lets you save on more than 1,300 CVS/pharmacy health-related items such as pain relievers and cold remedies

(Posted October 2009)

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