How would your business run if half your workforce were sick? Would your business continue to run if several of your top key employees died? How many employees are cross-trained in other positions?
A recent study showed that the threat of greatest concern to the world’s business leaders is a global influenza pandemic. That’s why you should start asking these questions now so your business can be prepared for a potential bird flu pandemic. An avian flu pandemic will not discriminate. Everyone from the janitor to the CEO would be affected. In the worst case, it could leave millions of people sick and between 5 million and 1.5 billion people dead around the world.
The World Bank, which has estimated that a year-long bird flu pandemic could cost the world economy up to $800 billion. The economic cost in the world economy will be catastrophic. There would be huge economic losses due to worker absences and disruptions in supply and delivery chains. Even a “mild” pandemic would have lasting effects on your business. Because a global flu pandemic is such a great threat, current business and disaster response plans may not be adequate to deal with it. What steps should you start taking now to prepare?
As in the worst case, you need to know the risks and have a contingency plan in place before you need it. By planning now, you’ll help keep your business running, your employees safe, and avoid potential legal trouble. Some of the steps you may consider are:
Establish a pandemic coordinator or team with responsibilities for preparedness and response planning. Provide up-to-date information on avian influenza to all employees. Identify and make available information about community resources.
Identify key essential areas and current employees responsible. Train other employees in those areas so they can fill in for sick employees. Have written documentation for those employees who replace others.
Identify key suppliers and alternative sources of critical materials and supplies. Increase inventories of raw materials to maintain production for several months. Plan for “just in time” inventory shortages. Products and inventory from Asian countries may not be available if Asian factories are closed due to illness.
Play “what if?” What if Joe in accounting was sick for a month? Or did Sam in IT die? Who could fill in, how would the business work? It is estimated that between 30-60% of the workforce will be ill.
Maintain a healthy work environment. Encourage hand washing, offer hand sanitizers, consider quality air purifiers. Limit face-to-face contact with employees and customers. Limit large group gatherings, shared workstations, and public events. Limit or eliminate non-essential business travel. Make use of conference calls and video conferencing.
Check employment policies to see if you can require employees to stay home if they are sick. Establish new sick time policies. Consult clauses in employee agreements for business closure plans, work hours, and position changes. Establish policies and procedures for sending staff home, leaving work on their own, unauthorized absences, and returning to work. Plan to offer additional paid sick time or pay and salary advances to staff who are unable to work. Plan for family member illnesses, community quarantines, school/business closures, and public transportation.
Offer telecommuting options to as many employees as possible. Offer flexible hours and other creative work options.
Back up essential files offsite, provide access to a network of key employees.
Establish a communication plan for employees and business contacts. Include key contacts and employee status tracking. Employees will be hungry for up-to-date information about their businesses, jobs, and coworkers. Good communication with your employees is essential to avoid rumors, panic and misinformation.
To encourage employees to stock up on food and supplies for an extended stay at home, buy supplies in bulk to take advantage of discounts and offer the savings to employees. Or offer them a free SAM’s Club or Costco membership.
Taking these steps today will help your business be prepared for a potential bird flu pandemic, survive, and get back on track faster than those who aren’t.