Get a Life: Flu remedy: Telework

A survey by the Telework Exchange found that a few more feds knew their agencies’ continuity-of-operation plans for the H1N1 flu (aka swine flu) compared to the 2006 avian flu scare. That’s the good news. 

But the study also showed that many more federal employees (42 percent) had not received any guidance. Those that did mostly heard “wash your hands” rather than operational plans about how to continue working.

The study, “H1N1 – Uncle Sam’s COOP Exam,” was based on a survey sample of 307 federal employees in early May

Following the 2006 avian flu scare, 21 percent of feds knew that that their agencies' COOP plans included plans for a flu pandemic. In the H1N1 sample, 33 percent knew their agencies’ plans.   

The study also showed that if H1N1 infected a city in which federal employees work, only 51 percent would definitely show up for work.  And if H1N1 cases were reported in their office, even fewer -- 26 percent -- said they would definitely show up at work

The top 10 most prepared agencies included the Commerce, Health and Human Services, Justice, Transportation and Veterans Affairs departments; the Navy; the General Services Administration; NASA; the National Science Foundation; and the U.S. Postal Service.

At the most prepared agencies, 16.43 percent of eligible employees telework as compared to 7.62 percent of eligible employees teleworking governmentwide. Little wonder that telework is viewed as a key remedy for flu planning.

How prepared are you to work during a serious flu outbreak?