H1N1 Flu Outbreak: Information for Employees

The H1N1 outbreak is a continuously changing situation. For the latest health information, visit CDC.gov where guidance is updated regularly based on scientific developments.

Message From the Secretary

Department Response to H1N1 (Swine) Flu

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Guidance

• Employee Guidance on Seasonal Influenza and H1N1 Vaccines
• Employee Guidance on Pandemic Influenza Antiviral Medications
• Employee Guidance for Employees with High Medical Risk
• Employee Guidance for Low Exposure Risk Occupations
• Employee Guidance for Medium Exposure Risk Occupations
• Employee Guidance for Mandatory Use of Respirators for High and Very High Exposure Risk Occupations
• Fit Testing Guidance for Mandatory Use of Respirators
• Fit Checking Guidance for Voluntary Use of a Respirator
• Human Resources Flexibilities for Employees includes:
  • Leave
  • Requiring Employees to Work
  • Telework
  • Alternative Work Schedules
  • Evacuation during a Pandemic Health Crisis
  • Evacuation Pay
  • Work Assignments during an Evacuation
  • Miscellaneous Questions
    • Overtime
    • Hazardous Duty Pay or Environmental Differentials
      Awards
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Death-Related Issues
    • Work Schedules
• Human Resources Flexibilities for Supervisors and Managers includes:
  • Hiring Flexibilities During a Pandemic Health Crisis
    • Hiring Flexibilities That Do Not Require OPM Approval
    • Hiring Flexibilities That Require OPM Approval
    • Short-term Hiring
  • Keeping Employees Away from the Workplace
  • Requiring Employees to Work
  • Labor Relations
  • Utilizing the Workforce
  • Evacuation during a Pandemic Health Crisis
  • Issues Affecting Employees Separating From Agencies
  • Issues Affecting Military Reservists and the National Guard
  • Issues Affecting Appointments With Conversion Eligibility
  • Security Clearances and Background Checks
• Dealing with Contractor Performance Issues

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Messages sent to Department of Homeland Security employees regarding the H1N1 (Swine) Flu Outbreak

• Chief Medical Officer Alex Garza's Message to Employees on H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and High Risk Guidance - Dec. 11, 2009 (PDF, 1 page - 17 KB)
• Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alex Garza's Message to Employees - Sept. 14, 2009 (PDF, 1 page - 18 KB)
• Under Secretary Elaine Duke's Guidance Documents - Aug 17, 2009 (PDF, 1 page - 20 KB)
• Secretary Napolitano's Message to Employees - May 1, 2009 (PDF, 1 page - 63 KB)
• Under Secretary Elaine Duke's Guidance regarding Personal Protective Equipment - May 29, 2009 (PDF, 1 pages - 22 KB)
• Interim Guidance for Personal Protection for Department of Homeland Security Personnel Working in Areas of Documented Swine Influenza (H1N1) April 27, 2009 (PDF, 2 pages - 20 KB)
• Secretary Napolitano's Message to Employees- April 25, 2009 (PDF, 1 page - 74 KB)
• Secretary Napolitano's Message to Employees Working Near the Southwest Border - April 25, 2009 (PDF, 2 pages - 75 KB)
• Secretary Napolitano's Message to Employees Working in Mexico - April 25, 2009 (PDF, 1 page - 63 KB)

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Employee Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services are designed to help employees, managers, and organizations meet life challenges and remain healthy, engaged, and productive. (Service limited to Department of Homeland Security and component agencies.) Your EAP is available to you any time, anywhere via telephone for any issue that affects your ability to work.

For H1N1 specifically, an EAP counselor can help you

• Cope with anxiety or stress related to pandemic flu preparations and response
• Manage feelings of isolation you may experience if you need to work offsite for an extended period of time and/or are quarantined due to exposure to the flu virus

The EAP can additionally help organizations:

• Support first responders who may be experiencing burnout, stress, and anxiety
• Plan appropriate communications for employees
• Provide education on stress management and recovery
• Debrief employees

Contact your EAP or read more information about EAP programs for the Department of Homeland Security and its components.

EAP is confidential, has no impact on security clearance, is free, and voluntary. 

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Disclaimer

These FAQs, guidance documents and tear sheets provide general guidance only.  These documents do not, and are not intended to, create or violate any legal rights. This guidance is intended to be read in a manner that is consistent with applicable law.  Individual employees and work circumstance are unique, therefore, employees should seek additional guidance from their supervisor and servicing employee relations office.  Supervisors are likewise encouraged to seek additional guidance from their servicing employee relations or counsel’s office as necessary.  Each FAQ, guidance document, and tear sheet is subject to change.  Please check this Web site for updates.

The provisions of these documents apply to the Federal civilian workforce covered under Title 5, U.S.C. and may not apply to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  TSA is an excepted service agency outside of Title 5 and has the statutory authority under Pub. L. 107-71 (ATSA) to develop and implement internal policy to address employment in the excepted service. 

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