Blue Lynxs' Contractors, Temps & Clients - Flu Pandemic - What should you do...

 

The Flu Pandemic & Blue Lynx

Everyone is now aware of the urgency concerning the New Influenza A (H1N1) or commonly known as “Swine flu” or “Mexican flu”

Flu is a contagious illness. There is currently an increase in the number of people who have contracted the New influenza A (H1N1) in Holland.

The Dutch government and businesses are taking preventive measures. Blue Lynx is also taking preventative measures and have prepared the following information -

 

What is Blue Lynx doing ?

Blue Lynx has prepared and made a plan of action for a possible pandemic in order to control the consequences of the pandemic as much as possible.


Blue Lynx has informed all  clients and employees, and where necessary we have made agreements to help clients with temporary staffing solutions. Staff members must stay at home when they have several of the following symptoms and contact their doctor, their direct Supervisor and Blue Lynx. Staff must stay at home until the symptoms have gone.

Clients who require temporary staffing solutions if/when the pandemic can contact: Pauline O'Brien Operations Manager on +31 (0)20 406 9180 or pauline@bluelynx.com Blue Lynx has planned to have more recruitment consultants working on the "temp desk" to assist our clients if/when the pandemic occurs.


To limit the spread of this pandemic we ask our staff to do the following:

Beware of the following symptoms and seek medical advice BEFORE you go to work 

  • Shivering, fever (temperature >38)
  • Muscle pain and pain
  • Sore throat
  • Dry cough
  • Problems with breathing
  • Sneezing
  • Blocked nose or a runny nose
  • Tiredness

 

WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS THEN REPORT TO WORK AS NORMAL

When you have some of the above mentioned symptoms, then it is advisable to stay at home and only return to work when you are better.

When you fall sick at work then please inform your supervisor that you are going home. Blue Lynx has a New Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine flu) co-ordination team –and they also need to be informed - please report your illness to
Blue Lynx on: + 31 (0)70-3117828.

When you are working at a Blue Lynx Client please would you make sure you know what the Clients pandemic plan of action is. We will contact all clients to ask for a copy of their plan of action but we would appreciate you ask as well.

 

What can YOU do?

Stay away from patients of the New Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine flu) and keep your home and workplace clean and free of germs, also personal hygiene is very important. We recommend you visit the links below for more information:

 

More information on the flu pandemic:

 

Facts about the flu pandemic

What is a pandemic flu?

Pandemic influenza originates as a result of a new influenza virus. Nobody has ever come into contact with this new virus as yet. This is why nobody has built up a resistance to this virus. Since there is no resistance the new virus could make large numbers of people ill or seriously ill. Due to the pandemic being so widespread, it could have major effects on the economy. Due to a high illness rate in companies or suppliers, service levels or production facilities might not be able to deliver their services.

 

The prognosis is that at the peak of the flu pandemic (or in the worst case scenario) approximately one third of employees could be absent, either directly or indirectly due to the virus.

 

Where is the flu pandemic coming from?

In March 2009 the first cases of New Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine flu) were confirmed in Mexico. Meanwhile the virus has spread over all continents and has also reached Europe and The Netherlands.

 

What can you do against the pandemic flu?

There is a virus inhibitor available: Tamiflu. Unfortunately this only slows down the virus Tamiflu is not a cure. The expectations are that the vaccine for New Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine flu) will be available in October 2009. The vaccine is currently being tested.

Although you can never entirely avoid infection, you can reduce the chances of becoming infected, primarily by taking good care of your personal hygiene and strengthening your immune system. For more information, please see ‘What can I do?’

 

Measures you can take to avoid infection:

  • Eat a balanced diet with a lot of vegetables and fruit.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Live a balanced healthy life, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.
  • Avoid contact with people who already have the flu. If you have to be in the vicinity of an influenza patient, keep the contact as short as possible and wash your hands after your visit.
  • In the workplace only use your own work items/tools i.e., keyboard, mouse, pens etc. DO NOT USE OTHER COLLEAGUES WORK ITEMS AND TOOLS.
  • Keep door handles cleaned regularly with a disinfectant cleaner.
  • Use disinfectant and throw away wipes/paper towel to clean your telephone, mouse, keyboard, head-set and work space etc. Use one wipe/cloth per workstation.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap (liquid detergent soap) and water. If you touch something or shake hands with someone, you can get the virus on your hands. This is why you should wash your hands regularly. Dry your hands with paper towels or kitchen paper and throw the paper into the litterbin immediately after use.
  • Avoid hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible. If you touch something or shake hands with someone, you can get the virus on your hands. The virus can enter your eyes, nose or mouth through hand contact.
  • Use paper tissues when sneezing or coughing. Use a paper tissue or paper towel to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing. Throw the tissue into the litterbin immediately after use.
  • Do not cough or sneeze into your hand, cough into your arm.
  • Keep your home clean. Clean hard surfaces and objects such as kitchen appliances and door handles regularly. Use a normal detergent for this.
  • Ventilate your living and bedrooms by regularly opening windows.

    Source of information: Postbus 51 www.rivm.nl (Dutch Text)

 

Who to contact at Blue Lynx about the fu pandemic

Questions and remarks about the pandemic:

Would you like to know more about the pandemic and what it will mean for clients and employees of Blue Lynx? For any questions or queries with regards to your place of work you can contact:

Tonya Thornley  Client Development Manager sales@bluelynx.com
Pauline O’Brien Operations & Temporary Staffing Solutions pauline@bluelynx.com
Sandra Wels Human Resources & Pandemic Flu Team hr@bluelynx.com

Thank you for taking the time to read this article.

Tina Evans
Managing Director

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