Commonground
Senior Moderator
POSTED: 5:05 pm EDT September 9, 2009
UPDATED: 7:20 am EDT September 10, 2009
<!--startindex-->CONCORD, N.H. -- Workplaces across the state are reminding workers that they should stay home if they come down with flu-like symptoms this year.
At Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, a new policy is in place when it comes to sick days because of the H1N1 flu virus. "We've instructed all professors to relax attendance policies for anyone who has the flu," said John McCrory of Franklin Pierce Law Center.
With the expectation that the H1N1 virus will hit at some point, students have been reassured they won't be penalized for staying home if they have symptoms. Professors are also encouraged to stay out of class."They won't have to take an excessive amount of time off if they have the flu," McCrory said. "They'll still have that time available for their vacation."
The same is true at the Merrimack Valley Day Care Service in Concord. "If a staff member feels like they are ill and should not be at work, we're encouraging them to stay home," said Mary Jane Wallner of Merrimack Valley Day Care. Workers at the day care have also been encouraged to get the H1N1 vaccine when it arrives in October.
But workers who don't get paid sick time may face difficulties."We learned that there are many, many workers in our service industry, hotels, restaurants and so on who have no sick leave whatsoever," said Rep. Mary Stuart Gile, D-Merrimack.
Gile is working to pass a bill that would require businesses with more than 10 employees to provide up to five days of paid sick time a year. The bill was introduced before H1N1 surfaced, but Gile said the virus has drawn great attention to her cause. "Keeping people home when they're sick with the cold or flu should be a priority," she said. Gile's bill is being studied in subcommittee. Concerns have been raised that it could be a big burden to small businesses. But Gile said sufficient paid sick time could be the key to helping slow the spread of H1N1.
http://www.wmur.com/news/20818219/detail.html
UPDATED: 7:20 am EDT September 10, 2009
<!--startindex-->CONCORD, N.H. -- Workplaces across the state are reminding workers that they should stay home if they come down with flu-like symptoms this year.
At Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, a new policy is in place when it comes to sick days because of the H1N1 flu virus. "We've instructed all professors to relax attendance policies for anyone who has the flu," said John McCrory of Franklin Pierce Law Center.
With the expectation that the H1N1 virus will hit at some point, students have been reassured they won't be penalized for staying home if they have symptoms. Professors are also encouraged to stay out of class."They won't have to take an excessive amount of time off if they have the flu," McCrory said. "They'll still have that time available for their vacation."
The same is true at the Merrimack Valley Day Care Service in Concord. "If a staff member feels like they are ill and should not be at work, we're encouraging them to stay home," said Mary Jane Wallner of Merrimack Valley Day Care. Workers at the day care have also been encouraged to get the H1N1 vaccine when it arrives in October.
But workers who don't get paid sick time may face difficulties."We learned that there are many, many workers in our service industry, hotels, restaurants and so on who have no sick leave whatsoever," said Rep. Mary Stuart Gile, D-Merrimack.
Gile is working to pass a bill that would require businesses with more than 10 employees to provide up to five days of paid sick time a year. The bill was introduced before H1N1 surfaced, but Gile said the virus has drawn great attention to her cause. "Keeping people home when they're sick with the cold or flu should be a priority," she said. Gile's bill is being studied in subcommittee. Concerns have been raised that it could be a big burden to small businesses. But Gile said sufficient paid sick time could be the key to helping slow the spread of H1N1.
http://www.wmur.com/news/20818219/detail.html