Employers and unions have issued a revised set of guidelines to help combat the A(H1N1) flu in the workplace. --PHOTO: AP
EMPLOYERS and unions have issued a revised set of guidelines to help combat the A(H1N1) flu in the workplace and minimise workplace disruptions caused by the ongoing fight against the virus.
RELAXED RULES
Under the new advisory, only precautionary measures, such as avoiding crowded areas, are recommended for those travelling to countries with sustained community transmission of the virus.
Upon their return, employers may request that these employees stay away from the workplace.
This follows the recent announcement by the health authorities on the gradual transition from containment of the virus to mitigation where the focus will switch to treating those who have caught the flu.
The new tripartite advisory, drafted in consultation with the Health Ministry (MOH), expands on the measures issued at the end of April.
Then, the Ministry of Manpower, the Singapore National Employers Federation and the National Trades Union Congress had come up with the recommendations after the authorities raised the pandemic alert level in Singapore from yellow to orange, one rung below a pandemic.
They recommended avoiding travel to Mexico, which was the worst-hit country at that time, conducting regular temperature checks among staff, and a seven-day self-quarantine period for employees returning from affected areas.
But under the new advisory, only precautionary measures, such as avoiding crowded areas, are recommended for those travelling to countries with sustained community transmission of the virus.
Upon their return, employers may request that these employees stay away from the workplace.
Alternative work arrangements, such as working from home, can then be implemented to minimise disruptions.
Employees who had travelled to affected areas for work-related reasons should continue to be paid, while employers are encouraged to be flexible about leave arrangements for those who travelled for personal reasons.
The MOH website should also be consulted for the latest update on countries affected by H1N1 before proceeding with business or personal travel plans.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times
