I personally think this is good news and is indicating that even if the media is down playing the fact that the virus is not disappearing, at least the government is again being pro-active in finding ways to minimise the risk of pandemic disruption, in the same way that they were quick off the mark to order enough vaccine for the UK population.

What encourages me also is that included in the research projects is one adressing school closure effectiveness in preventing spread of the virus, enabling local decisions on if and when school closures would be appropriate.

Perhaps I was a little quick in my earlier blog to dismiss the government’s decision making process…or should I heed the cynical voice in my head that suggests that they are looking for justification and evidence to back up their argument that schools should not be closing. What do you think?

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These cases I think will become more and more common, particularly in the winter months. So how can organisations minimise their decrease in productivity? In a white paper I published recently on our GemaTech website titled ‘The adoption of flexible working is the key to your business surviving the current swine flu pandemic’, I stated that even the Health and Safety Executive as well as the Department of Health have issued advice to employers which include considering home-working and tele-conferencing to reduce face-to-face contact.

When mass absenteesim starts affecting customer service and the key systems and processes which an organisation relies upon, enabling people to work from home will go a long way to protecting brand and organisational reputation.

Author: Karen Jones