New Government Rules Could Cost Your Business

Swine flu is rapidly becoming a pandemic across the world, and the UK seems particularly hit. Just last week a think tank – Oxford Economics warned that a six-month Swine Flu pandemic in the UK could cost our already struggling economy £60 billion, thereby extending the recession by two years.

Therefore, the illness cannot become an excuse for your employees to take sick leave as very well may happen according to employment law specialists.

This warning has been announced not long after the government proposals to extend the amount of time people with swine flu can take off work, without a doctor’s sick note, from seven to fourteen days came to light.

Senior partner from the Peninsula Business Services, David Price has said: “Doubling self-certification time will have a negative effect on employers, particularly for small businesses who don’t have the space capacity to cover people. It’s sending out the message to employees that they can stay off for longer. At the moment, seven days seems to be the standard recovery time.”

What Can You Do To Prevent Time-Wasters?

Pimlico Plumbers founder, Charlie Mullins is in agreement with Mr Price, saying: “I don’t think extending self-certification time is the right move. People are naturally going to take 14 days off if they can.”

Mr Mullins also says he has ordered 200 of the anti-viral flu kits in order to protect his staff from the virus, explaining: “We don’t have the contingency plans in place, as we just wouldn’t be able to recruit and train people to replace staff in time. Instead, I’m hoping we can prevent it.”

Mr Price also believes employees should be examined in the return to work interview, and told this will be done: “Employers should assess whether the absence seems reasonable by finding out who the employee contacted and what the advice was they received. They should also look at their attendance throughout the year.”

What Do You Think?

Should Swine Flu sick leave without a Doctor’s note be extended to 14 days? Will employees just use this as an excuse to take the time off work? We would love to know your thoughts and opinions. Leave your comments here.

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