Employee perceptions of workplace H1N1 pandemic influenza preparedness: National survey results from the US and four European countries

In the event of pandemic influenza, preparedness in the workplace and communication to employees are important for maintaining the safety of employees and for mitigating the effects of the pandemic. This paper examines national and international survey data on employee perceptions of preparedness in the workplace. The surveys were conducted in July and August of 2009 for Porter Novelli, an international marketing and public relations firm. In the US, data were collected on the Porter Novelli HealthStyles survey, an annual mail panel survey with 4,500 respondents. In Europe, data were collected on the Porter Novelli EuroPNStyles survey, an annual internet panel survey with 2,000 respondents in each of the following four countries: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Employed respondents were asked if their workplace had developed a plan to respond to a possible outbreak of pandemic influenza, and if so, which of several kinds of information concerning preparedness had been communicated to them. The percentage of employees reporting that their workplace had developed a response plan ranged from 12% to 30% by country. Results are compared across countries and differences are discussed in light of recent national experiences with H1N1 and avian influenza. Occupational data are available for the US respondents with specific questions about work in a health care related job and direct contact with patients, and occupational differences in responses are examined. Recommendations for preparedness and communication with employees are discussed..