1. What is a flu pandemic?
A flu pandemic is different from a seasonal flu outbreak. A pandemic is a large scale epidemic that may spread across several countries and continents.
A flu pandemic is triggered by a highly infectious flu virus affecting a large number of people within a short period of time.
2. What are the symptoms of influenza?
3. An employee is at work and is exhibiting flu-like symptoms, what should I do?
The Manager/Supervisor should
The Manager/Supervisor should notify the employee that he/she will be required to stay at home in accordance with the Toronto Public Health guideline for the strain of virus, which may be up to seven days in length.
Note: The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website states that “non-health care workers can return to work when they no longer have a fever for 24 hours and are feeling well enough to return to normal activities”. See: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/h1n1/public/adult.aspx
The Pandemic Committee will issue alerts to the York Community based upon Toronto Public Health Guidelines.
4. An employee has called in sick due to flu-like symptoms, what should I do?
The Manager/Supervisor should:
During the absence, an employee may use his/her sick credits, and the number of sick credits will be reduced for each day that the employee does not attend work due to the illness.
5. An employee has called in sick but has not specified the reason for his/her absence, what should I do?
The Manager/Supervisor should contact the employee to inquire whether the absence is due to flu-like symptoms. The Manager/Supervisor should inquire whether the absence is due to flu-like symptoms and indicate that they are asking as part of the University’s Pandemic Planning response. If the employee confirms flu-like symptoms, the Manager/Supervisor should follow the procedure in Question 4, above.
If the employee refuses to disclose the nature of the illness, the Manager/Supervisor should note the employee’s response and complete the online Reporting Form and follow the procedure outlined in Question 4, above. Upon the employee’s return to work, the Manager/Supervisor should monitor for symptoms as outlined in Question 2.
If the absence is not due to flu-like symptoms the Manager/Supervisor should still complete the online Reporting Form as outlined in Question 4 above.
6. What if an employee has been exposed to the influenza virus, but is not exhibiting symptoms, what should I do?
An employee is expected to report to work, as usual, unless exhibiting symptoms or under a Public Health initiated quarantine order.
7. Are employees expected to attend work in the event of a declared pandemic?
Unless directed otherwise, employees are expected to report to work, as scheduled.
8. What if employees refuse to come to work?
The Manager/Supervisor should consult the Department of Occupational Health and Safety. The regular Work Refusal Investigation Process will be followed.
9. Should pregnant employees take special precautions to protect themselves?
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that pregnant women continue with their normal activities. However, pregnant employees should exercise caution when entering situations where there are many people in close quarters with little control over personal contact.
It is also recommended that pregnant employees be vigilant about hand washing as well as other infection control measures, such as the use of hand sanitizers.
10. Should employees with a chronic condition be more concerned about H1N1?
Employees with pre-existing chronic conditions are not at an increased risk of contracting influenza-like illnesses. However, they may be at a greater risk of experiencing severe illnesses or developing complications. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care recommends that anyone with a chronic illness contact their health care provider immediately if they develop influenza-like symptoms.
11. What if an employee requests personal protective equipment (PPE)?
The Manager/Supervisor should contact the Department of Occupational Health & Safety to inquire about PPE.
12. What if employees request to work from home?
Unless directed otherwise, employees are expected to report to work, as scheduled.
13. What if an employee has been quarantined by an order of a Public Health Unit?
The employee is required to remain at home for the duration of the Public Health Initiated Quarantine Order.
During the absence, the employee may use his/her sick credits, and the number of sick credits will be reduced for each day that the employee does not attend work due to the illness. If an employee does not have any sick leave credits, he/she may elect to use vacation, personal or other banked time in lieu of sick leave credits. Otherwise, an employee will be considered to be on unpaid sick leave.
14. What if an employee does not have any sick credits?
An employee may elect to use vacation, personal or other banked time in lieu of sick leave credits. Otherwise, the employee will be considered to be on unpaid sick leave.
15. What if employees request sick leave to care for a dependent who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
Employees are permitted to use their sick leave credits to care for dependents in accordance with the operative collective agreement or established procedure. If employees do not have sick leave credits, they may elect to use vacation, personal or other banked time or request an unpaid leave of absence.
The Manager/Supervisor should also complete the online Reporting Form.
16. Will employees be required to provide a medical note confirming their absence?
Employees will be allowed to return to work in accordance with the guideline established by Toronto Public Health. Employees will not be required to produce a medical note.
This is to address the concern that the health care system does not become overburdened with requests for medical notes during an influenza pandemic.
17. What should I do if an employee requests to return to work, but has not remained absent from work for the period of time established in the Toronto Public Health guideline?
As noted above, York University is mindful of the concern that the health care system does not become overburdened with requests for medical notes during a pandemic. As such, an employee shall be required to remain at home for the duration of the guideline established by Toronto Public Health, unless, they are already under a doctor’s care and have medical documentation confirming an earlier return to work.
18. What information can I provide to other staff if an employee has reported or is exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
Without identifying the employee, you may notify staff that someone who has been in contact with the office has reported that he/she is exhibiting flu-like symptoms. You may also refer the staff to Toronto Public Health’s Guideline about how to best protect against infection.
Under no circumstance should the manager identify or confirm the identity of the employee reporting or exhibiting the flu-like symptoms.
19. What should I do if an employee reports that another employee appears to be exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
You should meet with the employee and ascertain whether he/she is exhibiting flu-like symptoms in accordance with Toronto Public Health Guidelines. If so, refer to the procedures in Question 3 above.
Department of Human Resources and Employee Relations
November 6, 2009