As the levels of swine flu cases increase, commercial recruiter Tate recommends having a contingency plan in place should absenteeism rise to critical levels. 

Jo Edwards, managing director at Tate, says: “The overriding objective of these measures is to take all practicable steps to maintain business continuity within your business and those of your clients, without exposing any part of the workforce to increased risk of infection and illness.

“At the moment, Tate is taking it on a case-by-case basis, unless guidance from HM government changes. 

 “Specific, actionable, contingency plans, agreed firm-wide, will ensure that UK companies are prepared for the worse.  It should be intended that they are sufficient to meet what can reasonably be anticipated and flexible enough to offer clients access to your services with a reduced number of staff. 

“Firms need to also encourage people to obtain published NHS guidelines to stop the virus from spreading throughout their office and beyond.”