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Recruitment industry crucial in swine-flu pandemic

Wednesday 15th July 2009

By Mike Jones

Just when you thought it had gone away swine flu has returned with a vengeance in the last fortnight.

Up to 100,000 people a day could fall victim to the illness in the UK by next month the Government has warned.

And with the mortality rate estimated at one-in-200 it means that 500 people could soon die every day in the UK because of swine flu.

So far 17 people are believed to have died but the virus is spreading rapidly.

Schools have stopped being closed because of outbreaks as it is now impossible to contain - but where does this leave business?

With the UK still deep in Recession the last thing the economy needs is a devastating flu pandemic bringing the country to a halt.

Technology advances mean we are better prepared than ever to keep Britain going - with many offices able to function through staff working from home and using the Internet.

Not all businesses of course can operate in this way though and will need staff on site. When swine flu affects these places the recruitment industry will be required to step in to provide cover.

Healthcare is particularly likely to be affected in this way as staff dealing with patients are more exposed than in any other industry.

The country will be reliant on the recruitment industry to keep many crucial sectors of the economy going in a pandemic.

But it is the healthcare sector which will be most in demand over the coming months if the current predictions prove correct.

And recruiters will be on the frontline of action.

Have your say on this story using the comment section below

View Comments 9 comments

Posted By Danny on Wednesday 15th July 2009 12:50:04
Robert its not media frenzy. The WHO is concerned and has issued a global alert so thats enough confirmation. I have two daughters both at different schools which have both had swine flu cases this week. Out of 4 kids 1 is hospitalised. It is serious and it is spreading. I know of 4 other outbreaks just here in my local suburb of Manchester. I believe a lot of businesses and people in general will be desensitized by the media and past false alarms and will be caught with their proverbial pants down.

Posted By Robert Shea-Simonds on Wednesday 15th July 2009 11:39:08
Very wrong to make the statement: "means that 500 people could soon die every day in the UK because of swine flu." You are only adding to the media frenzy which is totally out of proportion.

Posted By Christina on Wednesday 15th July 2009 11:26:06
Does anyone know how we would stand if we sent temps into an office knowing that they are replacing sick staff who are off with swine flu? do we have a duty of care to inform them and what if they do go in and as Nicholas Lakeland said if they become ill do we have to take the blame?

Posted By Nicholas Lakeland - Silverman Sherliker LLP on Wednesday 15th July 2009 11:19:58
Has anyone thought of the liabilities which may result from recruiters supplying temps to workplaces in order to replace permanent employees absent due to swine flu. What happens if the temp falls ill or god forbid dies having been infected? Bet you someone will blame the recruitment company.

Posted By Mark Firth on Wednesday 15th July 2009 11:16:37
At a shop floor level, there maybe a slight upturn in requirements, however my clients tell me they are setting up remote IT access for middle and senior management so they can be off and still contribute to work whilst recovering.They won't be hiring - as one senior HR person stated to me "in these economic times, we cannot afford to hire in senior temp managers for shortterm cover".Anyhow do we remember the last "outbreak" that never amounted to more than normal amounts of sickness.

Posted By Danny on Wednesday 15th July 2009 11:14:38
There wont be much we can do if it gets as bad as that. Our own companies will be understaffed and no one will be available to replace sick workers either within recruitment or outside of it. It will be a case of riding the storm.

Posted By Steph on Wednesday 15th July 2009 09:41:35
Let's hope we don't make a pig's ear of it

Posted By Tony G on Wednesday 15th July 2009 09:40:36
Every sector of recruitment will be affected not just healthcare. Who though will step in for the recruiters hit by the virus?

Posted By Jenny on Wednesday 15th July 2009 09:39:20
UK business is always reliant on the recruitment industry but a swine flu pandemic means our services could be critical. I wonder though how many outside our industry recognise this?

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