The University Influenza advice

Information for staff

Influenza pandemic information and advice

Information for staff

This information is reviewed daily.

What do I need to do now?
What do I do if I think I may have swine flu?
Reporting absence
What if someone I know has swine flu?
What if one of my colleagues or students has swine flu?
What if I cannot come to work because I have to stay home to make arrangements for a family member who has swine flu?
How do I protect myself from catching swine flu?
For more information about swine flu

What do I need to do now?

It is a good idea to establish now a network of friends or family who will be able to help you should you become ill. These 'flu friends' or 'flu buddies' will collect medicines and other supplies for you, making it easier for you to stay at home if you are unwell. This is important in helping to control the spread of swine flu in the community. More information on 'flu friends' is available by clicking on the link to the right of this page.

Please check that your details are up to date on MyView so that we can contact you if the arrangements regarding swine flu change.

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What do I do if I think I may have swine flu?

In most cases, swine flu is a relatively mild illness, similar to seasonal flu.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay at home and minimise contact with other people. Seek medical advice by contacting the National Pandemic Flu Service:

www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

Telephone: 0800 1 513 100

Minicom: 0800 1 513 200

If you experience difficulty in contacting the National Pandemic Flu Service, contact your GP by phone or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Do not attend the health centre, hospital or your GP surgery in person (unless instructed to do so by your GP). Do not come to work or use University facilities on site until your symptoms have cleared. If you live alone, ask a friend to collect medicines and other supplies for you so that you do not need to leave home.

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Reporting absence

If you will be absent due to swine flu, you must notify your line manager by telephone or e-mail. You must also e-mail swine.flu@uwl.ac.uk and provide:
  • Your name
  • your employee number
  • a contact number
  • the Faculty or Department that you work for.
If you cannot e-mail swine.flu@uwl.ac.uk then please call the University's notification telephone number 0208 231 2662 and give these details. Remember that you must contact your line manager as well. This is so plans can be put in place by your department to manage your absence and minimise disruption to University operations.

Please see the HR guidance note (word, 42 kb) on Swine Flu for further information.

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What if someone I know has swine flu?

You should continue with your normal activities and attend University, unless you have flu-like symptoms yourself. The advice of the Health Protection Agency is that even if you live with or have been in close contact with somebody who has swine flu, but you do not have flu-like symptoms yourself, you should continue going to work as usual.

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What if one of my colleagues or students has swine flu?

Provided you feel well, you should still attend work as normal, unless you are told otherwise by your line manager.

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What if I cannot come to work because I have to stay home to make arrangements for a family member who has swine flu?

As explained above, you will need to notify your line manager and also e-mail swine.flu@uwl.ac.uk (or call the University's notification telephone number 0208 231 2662 if you do not have internet access). Provide the following information:
  • Your name
  • your employee number
  • a contact number
  • the person who is ill (child, parent, etc)
  • the Faculty or Department that you work for
  • make it clear that you are not ill yourself, but that your absence is because you are making arrangements for a dependant.
Further information about the arrangements for discretionary leave (word, 42 kb) is available from the Human Resources department.

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How do I protect myself from catching swine flu?

General hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the swine flu virus. This includes:
  • Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
  • disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
  • maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people
  • cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
For more information about swine flu
visit the HPA's website www.hpa.org

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