Businesses should prepare for pandemic

As economists and health experts warn of massive disruption to the global economy in the event of an avian flu pandemic, many U.S. businesses just now are beginning to look at ways to prepare for the possible health, social, and economic impact of this potential crisis. Disaster Recovery Institute International, Falls Church, Va., which offers business continuity training and certification, urges the business community not to delay in considering the impact of a pandemic and adjust their business continuity plans accordingly.

"Risk evaluation and thorough planning for a pandemic is essential to safeguarding the most crucial asset of any company--its workers," cautions John Copenhaver, DRII president and CEO. "Business leaders need to start asking themselves tough questions about their preparedness for this kind of global catastrophic event, and they need to prepare now to respond quickly and effectively, and to adjust pandemic preparedness plans as circumstances change."

DRII recommends that businesses should:

* Track avian flu and other biological threats, and regularly review continuity plans and update them in response to new information.

* Maintain open and honest communication--make workers aware of the avian flu threat and the steps the company is taking to prepare.

* Assess business continuity preparedness for a minimum 25-35% absentee rate.

* Prioritize key functions, cross-train essential positions, and prepare for the psychological impact on the workforce.

* Define "trigger points" for when contingency measures should be executed.

* Establish or expand policies and tools that enable employees to work from home or consider moving employees to alternate worksites.

* Expand online transaction and self-service options for customers and partners.

* Be aware that, while plans may be made for global operations, execution ultimately will be local and should assimilate health and legal guidelines from local governments.

* Review sickness and leave policies. Make it mandatory that ill employees stay home. Have alcohol-based hand sanitizers readily available; add respiratory masks to first-aid kits, and educate workers on basic flu prevention methods.

* Consider stockpiling flu-fighting medicines, especially if overseas business travel is essential.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning