Is swine flu giving people an excuse to skive?

An influx of managers have been in contact with the Employment Law Advisory Service (ELAS) to seek advice about staff using a self diagnosis website to conclude they have swine flu.

Company bosses fear that measures designed to reduce the impact of swine flu on the workplace could end up creating a "skivers' charter".

More than 1,000 firms have contacted ELAS claiming that the employees are extending summer holidays by using self diagnosis, and it is in fact causing more disruption to the workplace than the flu itself.

Peter Mooney, ELAS's head of consultancy, said his firm began receiving calls from angry managers at the end of last month, and management skills are being tested.

Mr Mooney added that the emphasis has been taken away from local GPs as those who stay at home and diagnose themselves do not need a doctor's note.

"Based on the volume - and the nature - of calls we have been taking, the number of deliberate false cases of the condition is having a significant impact on workplaces across the country, something bosses are keen to tackle," he said.

This week, business connectivity provider Star has said that the swine flu pandemic should have warned businesses that they must put plans in place to allow staff to work from home.