Swine flu: IT firms screen their staff

Even if the employee tests negative,he is allowed to join the office after submitting a medical report. “Even regular employees working in the city have been issued an advisory regarding the virus through notices that also carry the list of hospitals where they can get themselves examined in case they have any symptoms,” said Biju Menon,senior executive,HR at Tech Mahindra.

Persistent Systems is planning to organise an interactive session of doctors and employees,wherein information on H1N1 will be disseminated. Besides,employees are also encouraged to undergo routine medical check-ups. “We haven’t cancelled any overseas trip so far but we are taking all precautionary measures,” said senior vice-president (HR),Kishor Bhalerao.

Though companies have not yet discontinued or postponed any official tour abroad,they are taking various measures. Said Mustafa Raj,head HR and Administration,Foseco India Ltd,“Till now,we have not restricted travel destinations for our employees,but through intra-net and notices,we have issued guidelines on the do’s and don’ts regarding swine flu.”

Similarly,at Cybage Software,CEO Deepak Nathani reasons that since there hasn’t been a single case of swine flu at his company,their engineers are still travelling abroad with as much regularity as they used to earlier. “During the yearly medical check-up programme conducted for employees,which is due next month,our employees will be checked for H1N1 also,” he said.

None of these companies has had any employee testing positive for swine flu till now. But all of them are quite clear what to do if that were to happen. They will be asked to stay in hospital or be on home quarantine for 10 days or more as recommended by the medical practitioner.