为秋天和冬天的病毒季节做准备

Fall and winter are when viruses that cause respiratory disease usually circulate more heavily. 在COVID-19大流行之前, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were the main causes of severe respiratory disease during these times of year. Although some people have mild symptoms when they catch the flu or RSV, 还有一些人病情严重，需要住院治疗. Some seasons are more severe than others based on strains of the viruses circulating and immunity to these viruses.

Respiratory disease season lasts from October through May in the United States, 在12月至2月间达到高峰. The timing and duration of virus activity have been unpredictable since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 作为美国.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports early increases in some viruses, 雇主可以计划为高峰活动做准备. 此外, the CDC predicts a possible increase in hospitalizations due to new COVID-19 variants or a severe flu season paired with waves of COVID-19 and RSV cases.

With respiratory infections likely in the fall and winter seasons, it’s important for employers to consider ways to mitigate or address illness among employees to help keep workers healthy and productive. This article highlights best practices for employers during the 2023-24 respiratory season.

老板指导

While the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health emergency have officially ended, the coronavirus still has the potential to disrupt workplaces for the foreseeable future. As other respiratory viruses and infections spread during the fall and winter, employers should do their due diligence and continue incorporating employee health and safety in current workplace plans, 政策及福利.

Consider the following best practices for addressing employee health and safety during the 2023-24 respiratory virus season:

• 审查组织风险. 尽管已经没有联邦政府了, 与COVID-19相关的州或地方授权, employers can independently assess exposures and determine how to respond. Employers could identify the hazards and risks for their on-site workplaces and implement controls (e.g., personal protective equipment and administrative or engineering controls).

• 建立远程工作策略. 如果员工主要在现场工作, employers can consider having a backup plan to allow employees to work from home when dealing with virus-related symptoms. Some respiratory illnesses may not be debilitating in all cases, so employees can still work but remain isolated to reduce the chances of others getting infected.

• 回顾带薪休假政策. 扩大休假政策, including allowing negative balances in paid time off banks and leave donation or sharing programs, could be helpful to employees battling illness in these seasons. Policies may also accommodate employees to take time off when they or their family members are sick.

• 鼓励健康的员工行为. Employee education is critical for healthy employee behavior changes. 接种疫苗已被证明可以减少住院率, 因此，雇主可以鼓励员工接种疫苗. This fall, vaccines for the flu, RSV and COVID-19 are available. 除了接种疫苗, 人们需要睡个好觉, stay active and drink plenty of water to keep their immune systems strong. Employers could also encourage workers to eat a nutritious diet of healthy grains, 水果, 蔬菜和纤维. Employee benefits could support these aspects of personal health and wellness or even incentivize healthy behaviors.

• 随时准备清洁用品. 如果员工在现场工作, it can be beneficial to have hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies available for employee use. Businesses can encourage good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of illnesses.

• 促进开放的沟通. Employers can encourage employees to talk to their managers if they’re experiencing any health issues, including long-lasting ones that may impact their performance. Training for managers could also help them respond appropriately to such conversations, 怎样才能正确地解决员工的担忧, 加强员工福利，降低法律风险.

在一般情况下, employers must stay agile and accommodating while adapting to the post-pandemic workplace. 没有地方, 州或联邦与covid -19相关的任务, employers have more ownership of how they address the respiratory season while protecting and supporting their workforces.

了解更多信息

Along with the flu and RSV, COVID-19 has become a part of the respiratory virus season. 因为预计会有感染和住院, employers can review workplace policies and consider ways to protect and support employees who may catch a respiratory infection this season.

For the latest updates about the current respiratory disease season, visit the 美国疾病控制与预防中心的网站. 请立即梅高美集团4858以获取更多的工作场所策略指导.

This HR Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. ©2023 Zywave, Inc. 版权所有.