Go, Man, Go: Helping with Employee Families During a Crisis

Employees are far less likely to panic if they feel that they have some control over their own safety and that of their family. For this reason, many companies have been proactive about giving employees information about how to protect their homes and families during a crisis.

By Daintry Duffy

March 01, 2004 — CSO — Employees are far less likely to panic if they feel that they have some control over their own safety and that of their family. For this reason, many companies have been proactive about giving employees information about how to protect their homes and families during a crisis. In many companies, employees are also given or instructed to create "go kits," small bags of necessary items that they might need in an emergency. At American Express, those kits contain water, transistor radios and comfortable shoesevents like the blackout in August 2003 have shown that walking across the city in 3-inch pumps isn't a good idea. Steven Kuhr, senior vice president and practice leader of Kroll's Emergency Management Group, recommends that every employee have a basic kit assembled with the following items: two flashlights, some emergency cash, a portable radio, extra batteries, dry food such as granola bars, small bottles of water, a basic filter mask, an extra layer of clothes to accommodate temperature variations, a small pocket tool, and a 72-hour supply of prescription medications. But lest you think this is more plastic sheeting and duct tape talk, Kuhr insists that he's not being a sensationalist. The logic is simple: Employees will feel calmer and be safer in a crisis if they are prepared.

Read more about business continuity in CSOonline's Business Continuity section.

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