Weekly poll (30/04/09)

UKFF Mod · 30-04-2009, 12:11 PM

The poll for the newsletter next week is about swine flu and can be answered by anyone - contractors, agents, freelance services providers etc.

There is a lot in the news at the moment about swine flu. Official reports say it could possibly be controlled or could become a global pandemic of the type not seen in decades. They can't be sure as there is a huge margin of error in predicting what a new strain of a virus will do.

The World Health Organisation have now said that it has a very real threat of becoming a pandemic as it is spreading by human-to-human contact in various countries.

At this stage, do you think that swine flu will affect your business?

As a contractor, do you worry that you may miss billable days? Or that the workplace will put pressure on people to attend, causing sick people to spread the virus around the office?

As an agent, are you worried that this could cause a downturn in business at a time when the economy is already causing pressure on your work?

Beefy198 · 30-04-2009, 12:14 PM

No. So far the deaths (not all of which have been confirmed as being from swine flu yet) have been in a part of the world without, I presume, top of the range medical facilities.

In other parts of the world people are supposedly responding well to treatment.

I think we need to be concerned, but at this early stage I'm not thinking too much about it. If worst comes to the worst I'll offer to work from home.

bez · 01-05-2009, 03:15 PM

Yes, but only because the public as an entity have a talent for panic.

zara_blackdog · 02-05-2009, 12:36 PM

As far as work is concerned - hope I don't catch it ( for the sake of my family as well).

However - I am available to cover sick leave if required

dodgy_Dave · 06-05-2009, 04:14 PM

It's looking less and less like a big problem, so we should be ok.

The SMG · 06-05-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgy_Dave

It's looking less and less like a big problem, so we should be ok.

I wouldn't be too sure Dodgy. I get the impression this nasty little virus will be around for longer than most people think. It may take some time to create any significant impact here in the UK but when it does it'll be pretty unpleasant.

G