Business insurance holders should not panic unduly over the possibility of pandemic flu, it has been suggested.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) recommended that business insurance customer resist the temptation for knee-jerk reactions to the swine flu outbreak such as stockpiling drugs such as Tamiflu or Relenza.
According to the group, firms should use their efforts to develop contingency plans for the disruption of the UK's transport, supplies, banking and communication chains.
In addition, business insurance holders could find that the employees are unable to attend the office because of flu, leading the organisation to suggest they develop plans for home working and better systems for sickness management.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, explained: "There is no reason for employers to take panic measures when simple good hygiene and encouraging staff who are sick to stay at home is the best immediate response."
Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of IT security specialists Wick Hill Group, advised business insurance customers to prepare for swine flu preventing key members of staff from working and said they should check employees are set up to operate out of their homes.
