Mark Lies Quoted in BNA's Human Resource Report and Daily Labor Report
"Safety & Health: Swine Flu Tests Employer Emergency Plans; Experts Urge Communicating Best Practices"

Mark Lies was quoted in the May 4, 2009 article, "Flu Outbreak Requires Swift Responses from HR," which appeared in BNA's Human Resource Report and the Daily Labor Report. The article discussed how employers should respond to the recent swine influenza outbreak by keeping employees safe, calm, and informed and encourage practices that can help to contain the spread of the virus. Mark advised employers to be aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires them to provide a safe workplace.

The article referenced Mark's recent client alert on the topic, where he urged employers to: "1) Inform employees that the employer is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace; 2) Advise employees that they are required to report immediately to the employer any communicable diseases (including swine flu) so that the employer can institute appropriate action; 3) Inform employees that all medical information will be maintained as confidentially as possible and that no employee will be subjected to retaliation for reporting such information; 4) Follow the employer's policies relating to documenting any requests for Family and Medical Leave Act leave or other time off that may be required to treat swine flu and resulting chronic; and 5) Document any employee requests for an accommodation and the interactive process with the employee for any swine flu-related disability."

In addition, according to the article, Mark suggested that employers check companywide to see whether anyone has returned recently from Mexico or will be traveling there. Employers might want to ask returning employees to work from home or take time off for two days upon their return. He also said that if a company is thinking of sending an employee to Mexico for business reasons, they should make sure that the worker has medical clearance to go.