While employers may feel offering to provide members of their workforce a free flu jab this winter could help to boost absence management, in reality their good intentions may backfire, it has been claimed.
Terrence Schwab, of law firm Tarlow, Breed, Hart and Rodgers, said that while on the surface such plans may appear considerate, asking a member of staff if they have already had a flu inoculation could be a violation of privacy laws.
Furthermore, all employees would have to sign a consent form before receiving the treatment, while offering incentives such as a free lunch or half a day off should be taken with care as it could lead to employees who do not have the injection complaining of discrimination.
Furthermore, he advised that such feelings of exclusion may lead to a drop in morale.
While the flu season is fast approaching, another health condition causing problems for absence management is stress.
Jenny Edwards, director of the International Stress Management Association, recently advised HR workers to ensure they are approachable and are aware that the workforce may be experiencing problems with stress.
Participation in vaccination programmes must be voluntary and without inducements. Although as an Occupational Health practioner it is my standard practice to obtain written consent on a form which also shows that I have checked an individuals suitability to receive the vaccine, the Department of Health in their reference book ‘immunisation against infectious diseases’ advises that a signed consent form is not required by law and that consent may be given orally or by co operation.
The potential pit falls from offering flu vaccinations are very small and are easily mitigated by working with Occupational Health staff who can advise on process.
I also am an OH practitioner and I agree with Andrew. I think the benefits of a flu vaccination scheme are far reaching, and the schemes we offer are always voluntary. No one is ever offered inducements, nor is their privacy invaded.
Sorry, i meant Andrea!
One Trust I am aware of is insisting staff inform them if they have had a vacination, where they recieved it and the date. Privacy laws and patient confidentiality??
I suppose it depends on who is gathering the information and why and if staff are being made aware how their data is being used. Although they can request the information I am not sure how they can insist on it, even in a healthcare environment.
I would usually present management with a report on vaccination uptake and may divide this into clinical and non-clinical staff but would not need to disclose names.