As firms continue to digest the implications of the 'swine' flu outbreak (and a female employee at Ernst & Young based in Times Squares is recovering from it), we wondered just how they are protecting their employees.

Citi

An insider told Here is The City that directives and suggestions made by the Mexican health authorities are being closely watched by the firm. Pictures have apparently also gone up in the toilets in London, with instructions on how to wash your hands properly.

We have also been advised that Citi has temporarily prohibited employees from travelling on business to and from Mexico. The firm is also thought to have been educating employees about the outbreak of the disease and measures to take to prevent it spreading.

Goldman Sachs

When asked by Here Is The City what he was doing about swine flu, Lucas van Pragg, the firm's global head of media relations, said: 'I'm trying not to catch it!', but quickly added, 'But, of course, as a company, we take the well-being of our people very seriously, and are informing them of developments as we find out about them'.

HSBC

Rumours that the firm is telling staff to buy tins of beans and seal themselves indoors are thought to be an exaggeration.

The bank said in a statement, however: 'Our primary concern is for the well-being of our staff and their families. We have taken some appropriate precautionary measures and continue to monitor the position closely'.

Morgan Stanley

The firm has said that it has contingency plans in place, and that it continues to monitor the position closely.

UBS

The firm's business continuity teams are said to be continuing to monitor the situation.

UBS said in a statement that the bank 'has a global program in place to ensure the firm is adequately prepared for a potential pandemic. UBS is also in regular contact with government and non-government organisations that can assist with pandemic planning and readiness'.

Use the 'Comment on this story' button below to send in details of what your firm is doing about this issue.

Reader Comments

1. 'Royal Bank of Scotland doesn't appear to have done much - then again, they do have £2.5bn in cost savings to make!'.

2. 'Glad to see that Citi employees are being taught how to wash their hands. At my firm, my tend not to p.ss on them in the first place!'.

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