HOW EMPLOYERS SHOULD COMMUNICATE:
Employers’ first goal in communicating about a public health emergency is to provide information to keep your employees and workplace safe and healthy. Don’t assume that workers have all the information they need from the media or other sources. And remember: misinformation thrives in a vacuum, so don’t be silent.
Be accurate and honest. Currently, the majority of diagnosed cases in the U.S. have been in men who have sex with men, but anyone can get monkeypox.
Tell people how it spreads. Mpox is spread through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or bodily fluids, or prolonged face-to-face contact, like during kissing, cuddling or intimate behavior. It does not spread easily and is not caught through casual contact or merely being in the presence of someone who has the virus.
Provide facts, not blame. Part of your responsibility is to make clear that certain groups are at higher risk so employees in those groups know how to protect themselves and when to seek medical attention.
Avoiding stigma is part of keeping your team safe. The danger of stigma isn’t just that it upsets people. It also keeps from them accessing the healthcare they need, which helps infectious diseases continue to spread.
Dignity and respect are key. Diseases that seem like someone else’s problem have a history of making the leap to your own community. Treat others how you would want to be treated. Using “we” and “our” in your messaging makes clear that your team is in this together.
HOW EMPLOYERS SHOULD PREPARE:
Businesses should have a policy in place for employees who’ve been diagnosed or exposed to monkeypox, much like your policies for COVID-19.
• If an employee has mpox, they should not come to work.
• The illness can last for 2 to 4 weeks — so if employees don’t have much paid sick leave, have a policy in place where they can access other paid time off or apply for short-term disability. Remote work should be an option, too, but note that severe pain may make it impossible. However it happens, support employees’ need to isolate for the duration of their illness.
• Consider updating your COVID-19 self-attestation forms (where employees state whether they have any virus symptoms) to include monkeypox symptoms.
• Businesses whose employees have close physical contact with customers (for example, spas) should consider asking about monkeypox symptoms in pre-appointment questionnaires, as well.
• If an employee reports an infection, keep that information confidential. Reach out to close contacts who are at risk of transmission through prolonged, close face-to-face or skin-to-skin contact and assist them with access to testing and paid time off.
Employer questions and answers on mpox.
Need help talking about mpox in your workplace? Use our sample CEO email to tailor a message that’s right for your team.
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