Facing the flu wave - what health and safety reps can do now

A highly transmissible strain of influenza A (H3N2, sometimes referred to in the news as “super flu”) is driving a tidal wave of infections, with hospital admissions rising sharply and NHS trusts declaring critical incidents due to soaring patient numbers.

Symptoms include high-temperatures, coughing, loss of appetite and general aches and pains. In more severe cases the virus can cause pneumonia and can be fatal to individuals with compromised immune systems.

Across Britain, schools have been forced to close due to high levels of infection among pupils and staff, and some local authorities are reducing hours or shifting to remote learning where outbreaks are widespread.

For union health and safety reps, this is a crucial moment to engage with employers to protect members and prevent transmission in workplaces.

Why this matters

Respiratory flu viruses spread easily in enclosed, crowded environments — including offices, factories, schools and other workplaces. Many employers might still think of flu as “just a bad cold”, but this season’s virus has shown how quickly transmission can escalate and how severe the impact can be on services and staffing levels.

Union reps can take effective action now to reduce risk and keep workplaces safer — drawing on principles learned from Covid-19 and established public health guidance on respiratory infection control.

Key measures reps can call for

1. Improve workplace ventilation and hygiene

Influenza A is believed to be airborne, i.e. transmitted through the air, as well as through small droplets. Encourage employers to:

• Review ventilation in shared spaces
• Allow fresh air circulation wherever possible
• Track CO₂ levels in high-occupancy areas to gauge air quality
• Provide ample hand-washing facilities and hand sanitiser
• Implement frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces
• Allowing colleagues to wear face masks in close or crowded indoor settings if they choose 

2. Allow flexible working where possible

One of the strongest protections against spread is keeping infectious people away from others. Reps should negotiate with employers to:

• Allow remote working where roles permit, and in particular where colleagues are at higher risk
• Enable staff with any flu-like symptoms to stay home with sick pay
• Review sickness absence policies to remove barriers to reporting illness

This reduces risk for everyone and prevents presenteeism from driving further transmission. 

3. Promote and support vaccination

Encourage employers to actively support staff in getting a flu jab, particularly for those in high-risk groups (older workers, pregnant workers, those with existing health conditions which may affect the immune system) and anyone eligible for NHS vaccination. Time off for vaccination — in paid work time — should be negotiated.

Reps should ask employers to:

• Publicise flu vaccine availability widely among staff
• Provide paid time off to attend vaccination appointments

4. Update risk assessments

Employers must consistently assess and manage risks from respiratory infections under general health and safety law. Reps should be involved in:

• Reviewing and updating risk assessments to include flu
• Identifying high-risk areas or roles
• Agreeing mitigation measures and reviewing their effectiveness
• Receiving information regarding sickness absence

Practical action checklist for reps

✔ Engage health and safety committees in a flu-focused risk assessment
✔ Negotiate paid leave for vaccinations and safe sick leave policies
✔ Push for ventilation improvements
✔ Support flexible working and absence management reform
✔ Ensure clear communication to workers about symptoms and reporting