Human Resources

Irish Employers are prepared for Swine Flu Pandemic

A recent workplace survey of both employers and employees carried out by RecruitIreland.com indicates that the majority of Irish employers are prepared for a worsening of the Swine Flu Pandemic.

A recent workplace survey of both employers and employees carried out by RecruitIreland.com indicates that the majority of Irish employers are prepared for a worsening of the Swine Flu Pandemic.

The key findings of the survey are as follows;

• Over 67% of Irish employers have implemented or are in the process of implementing work measures to deal with the pandemic
• Employees, however, are not aware of the measures that their employers are taking with just 39% of respondents indicating that their employers have taken any steps at all.
• 50% of employers expect to see an increase in sickness absence while 45% are unsure what to expect
• Overall, employees themselves are not worried about the impact of swine flu with over 70% indicating that although they are aware that they may catch the virus they are not overly concerned

The measures being implemented by employers range from cross-training, to cover the work of possible absentees, to the introduction of hand washing and hygiene facilities. Sickness policies have been reviewed and in some cases business travel and face to face meetings are being discouraged.

“There appears to be a communications problem here, employers are taking the steps necessary to deal with this pandemic but they are not communicating these measures adequately to their employees who are unsure what is happening” commented Emma Henry, Marketing Manager, RecruitIreland.com,

“Those employees that have been kept informed indicated that they are very satisfied with the actions their employers are taking, therefore taking the time to communicate your Company’s Swine Flu plan is a worthwhile exercise”.

 Survey Details- The employer’s survey was completed online by 388 employers during week commencing 3rd August. In addition, that same week, 431 employees completed a similar survey. Note: RecruitIreland.com’s user base is primarily 20-40 years of age About RecruitIreland.com RecruitIreland.com is now nearing its 10th anniversary. It was established in 1999 to provide an online solution for the Irish recruitment market. RecruitIreland.com now has more employer jobs on it’s website than any other Irish Jobsite, over 900 employers are currently advertising over 1,650 job vacancies. For Further information contact: Emma Henry: 021 4910014