Should staff who have family members sick with H1N1 also stay home to ensure they don’t spread it?
Ideally, those who have in their household people with the flu will recognize that they themselves have been exposed and may begin to show symptoms in 24 – 48 hours. They would then choose to stay home to rest.
The reality is that these people may never become sick. If they are not showing symptoms (such as coughing) and are washing their hands well and regularly, they are unlikely to be exposing others to the virus.
Nor is there an effective way to ensure that such workers stay home (other than offering them paid time off).
As part of your discussions with staff about H1N1, encourage them to consider staying home if someone in their household becomes sick with the flu.
If they still want to come to work, they will need to monitor their own health and leave at once if they begin to show symptoms.
Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board
