H1N1 flu virus: even if they were sick, many Quebec employees would still
show up for work - Findings of a CROP-CRHA survey

MONTREAL , Oct. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Many employees in Quebec would still show up for work even if they had the H1N1 flu virus. That's the astonishing finding of a CROP poll conducted among Quebec workers on behalf of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés last month.

Close to one-quarter of respondents said that they would still go to work even if they or a member of their household had the H1N1 flu virus. This attitude is even more prevalent among men, with one in three (33%) reporting that they still intended to go to work if they or a relative caught the virus.

Confirming this trend, close to 60% of respondents said that they show up for work even when they really aren't feeling well.

"We've already noted that employees in Quebec tend to show up at work even when they're ill. They don't seem to be sufficiently aware of the risks of such behaviour, which in the end benefits neither the employee nor the employer, and definitely should be stopped," explained Florent Francoeur, CHRP, Ordre president and CEO.

However, the survey also indicated that 44% of respondents would be afraid to go to work if one of their co-workers or someone in their household had H1N1 flu.

A long way to go in terms of prevention

The poll shows that there's still a long way to go in terms of prevention in Quebec workplaces. Almost one in two workers (45%) reported that his or her employer hadn't introduced any preventive measures to cope with a possible H1N1 flu pandemic. Among less-educated workers, this figure rose to 59%.

Furthermore, despite the threat of a flu pandemic, more than one respondent in two (53%) said they hadn't changed their personal habits, such as washing their hands, coughing into their elbows or using a hand sanitizer. Among men, this percentage was as high as 58%.

Lastly, 60% of those surveyed reported that their fellow employees aren't concerned about the H1N1 flu virus.

"On the whole, these figures are quite disturbing. Without wishing to create a climate of panic and uncertainty, it's important to point out how crucial it is for employers to introduce an emergency plan for dealing with a pandemic. At the same time, they should also promote prevention measures and make sure their employees are aware of the importance of minimizing the risk of contamination within their organization. For example, encouraging employees to wash their hands more often and advising them to stay home if they have the flu are simple steps to take," concluded Francoeur.

To learn more...

The complete survey results are available at: www.portailrh.org/presse (in French only).

About the Ordre

The Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés is the primary reference organization in its field in Quebec . It has a membership of close to 9,500 professionals, candidates and students, including 5,000 CHRPs and 2,500 CIRCs. It is the only organization devoted to the protection of the public authorized by the Professional Code to confer these professional designations.

Active in all sectors, CHRPs and CIRCS contribute to the development and maintenance of a healthy working atmosphere and a safe, efficient organizational environment that respects the uniqueness of each and every employee. They also represent employers and employees in various areas of HR management, from industrial relations, to staffing, training, occupational health and safety, organizational development and compensation.

    
                       Findings of the CROP-CRHA survey
                                 Highlights


    Employee behaviour

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                All
    Questions                                employees     Men       Women
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    % of employees who would show up for        24%        33%        15%
     work if they or a member of their
     household had the H1N1 flu virus
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    % of employees who show up for work         59%        60%        57%
     even when they really aren't feeling
     well
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    % of employees who haven't changed their    53%        58%        47%
     personal habits (washing their hands,
     coughing into their elbows, using a hand
     sanitizer, etc.)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Preventive measures and other questions

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Yes               No
    Questions                               (% of employees) (% of employees)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Has your employer introduced any
     measures to prevent H1N1 flu?                 51%              45%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If one of your co-workers or a member          44%              54%
     of your household had the H1N1 flu
     virus, would you be afraid to go to
     work?
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Are your fellow employees concerned            37%              60%
     about H1N1 flu?
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

For further information: Caroline Soulas, Communications coordinator, [phone], ext. 224, Cell phone: [phone], [email protected]