One Flu Over the Cuckoo's Nest?

by Paula Santonocito

Earlier this year, the inclination might have been to dismiss swine flu, officially known as the H1N1 virus, as media hype. However, even though flu season has only begun, swine flu is now in all 50 U.S. states, and in most it is widespread.

Government health officials and medical professionals, as well as workforce planning experts, therefore recommend that employers be informed about the disease so they are prepared to deal with it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Information (CDC) offers a wealth of general information, as well as publications and tools specifically for employers.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has created "SHRM H1N1 (Swine) Flu Resources," a special section of its website that is also accessible to nonmembers.

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer company that provides information services, offers a free "Pandemic Influenza Readiness Checklist" for HR and other management professionals.

Swine flu has been a topic of jokes, but an unhealthy or absent workforce is no laughing matter. Get the facts.