The number of people off work because of coughs, colds and flu is three-times higher than normal for the time of year, intensifying fears that businesses will struggle to cope with a full-blown swine flu pandemic.

While companies have taken steps to counter the spread of the virus – ranging from HSBC’s distribution of Tamiflu among employees to the provision of hand-cleaning facilities in the Goldman Sachs reception and stock-piling of masks for Sainsbury’s staff – most are underprepared for an outbreak, according to the Chartered Management Institute.