Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Small businesses told to prepare for swine flu

Owners should be prepared to operate with fewer workers as it spreads

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32843712/ns/business-small_business/

WASHINGTON - Federal officials say small business owners should be prepared to operate with fewer employees this fall as swine flu spreads across the country.

The Department of Homeland Security is issuing guidelines on combating swine flu to small businesses, which employ about half the workers in the U.S. The announcement is the latest in a series of recommendations as the federal government braces for a potentially widespread outbreak this fall, which could hurt businesses by keeping workers at home.

The government says small businesses should identify their essential operations and have plans for operating with reduced staffing. Officials also say businesses should consider letting employees work from home if they get sick.