This PML is superseded by the HR Manual and is no longer active.
PML Number
2014-045
Title
2014-15 Influenza Season
Date Issued
November 17, 2014
Owner
Labor Relations Division
Contact
Personnel Services Branch
(916) 323-3343
psb@calhr.ca.gov  
Signed By
Mary Sue Paul, Manager
Content
For prevention and management of illness in the workplace, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) recommends the following guidelines for departments to use for absences that may occur due to the influenza (flu) season.  It should be noted that while the symptoms are similar, the flu is distinctly different than the Ebola virus.  For more information on the Ebola virus, please review PML 2014-039.
If employees show signs of flu symptoms, departments should manage the employees the same way they would if they had other illnesses by encouraging the employees to stay home or go home. 
Departments are reminded to review the provisions for leave usage, return to work, and medical verification in the appropriate collective bargaining agreements.  The following types of leaves may be available for employees to use while off work due to illness.
•	Sick Leave
•	Vacation
•	Annual Leave
•	Furlough Hours
•	Personnel Leave Program
•	Compensating Time Off
•	Voluntary Personal Leave Program
•	Holiday Credits
•	Catastrophic Leave
•	Non-Industrial Disability Insurance
•	State Disability Insurance
•	Family Medical Leave Act
•	California Family Rights Act 

CalHR’s Leave Benefits webpage provides guidance on the use of the above leaves.  Departments should review their catastrophic leave policy for employees that have no leave balances or have exhausted their leave balances.
In addition, to minimize the impact on operations, departments may consider the following options to assist employees who are off work due to their own illness or a family member’s illness, but are still able to perform work duties:
•	Telework Policy
•	Alternate Work Week Policy
•	Flextime (refer to collective bargaining agreements for represented employees)

Based on recommendations from the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CalHR is providing the following links containing information regarding the flu illness and actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu.
CalHR Flu Season Guidance for State Employees 
CalHR Flu Season Guidance for Supervisors and Managers 
CalHR Flu Season Guidance for Personnel Offices and Employee Relations Officers 
California Department of Public Health – Influenza (Flu)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Seasonal Flu 2014-15  
For questions related to this PML, state department personnel office designated liaisons should contact the Personnel Services Branch by emailing questions to psb@calhr.ca.gov or calling (916) 323-3343.