Swine Flu Pandemic
News

Absence from work

As part of the Government's contingency plans to deal with the swine flu pandemic, employees could be allowed to self certify their sickness for up to 14 days.  The Government believe the measure to be a necessary step in minimising the spread of the infection and ease the burden on GP surgeries.  For employers, however, it would prove to be another obstacle that they would have to overcome.  The proposed plan has not been implemented as of yet and employees are still only able to self certify their sickness for 7 days before needing to provide a sick note from their doctor.  With the hype currently surrounding swine flu however employers should be wary of employees using the infection to take fraudulent sick days and make sure the policies regarding sickness are clear, especially if extended self certification is implemented.  Further informatioin will be made available on the website when known.  If you have any issues you wish to discuss surrounding this matter contact the SPAEN Office or contact Peninsula Business Services if you are on the Advice and Indemnity Scheme.