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10 Questions for Pandemic Planning

Business risk consultancy Control Risks identifies ten questions organizations can use to determine their level of preparedness in the event of a pandemic emergency

By Joan Goodchild, Senior Editor

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3. Does the firm have in place a robust Crisis Management & Communications program that will allow executives to make key decisions on a timely basis and communicate messages to both internal and external stakeholders?
Influenza pandemic is a prolonged event and will require management not only to asses and make decisions in response to changing conditions, but to also accurately and effectively communicate these decisions to all necessary parties, said Kaye. Pandemic crisis management requires a completely different perspective, analysis and action-plan than natural disaster crisis planning. The question in pandemic planning, according to Kaye, is not how do we pick up the pieces; rather it is how do we live with this situation over the course of the next 18 months?

4. Is there a Business Continuity program in place that documents key products and services that will receive prioritized attention during a time of reduced staff availability? If only 50 percent of staff is in the workplace on a particular day, which business activities will be conducted and which will be deferred?
"Traditional business continuity is based on putting people back to work after sustaining a loss to a building, equipment or other operational systems, said Kaye."Pandemic business continuity planning completely turns this concept on its ear; the building is intact, the systems are functioning but there is a shortage of people. In this scenario, you will have to establish priorities for your reduced workforce and you will have to consider what functions are not absolutely essential to your organization at that moment and defer these functions. "

5. Has the firm implemented a robust employee health program that will guide 'safe workplace' protocols, such as facility access, social distancing, and surface cleaning?
In the event of an influenza pandemic, the goal is preventing the virus from spreading, said Kaye. This prevention is applicable for public systems, such as trains and buses, to households and to businesses. Surface cleaning and social distancing both prove effective and can have a major impact. The conventional perspective is that people are universally susceptible to influenza pandemics and we must rely on these approaches to limit contagion.

6. Has the firm documented Human Resources provisions that outline actions employees should take if they become ill and how to handle sick leave and family care issues?
Just as with any other company initiative, people need to know what to do, said Keye. It sounds so simple, but if you don't provide clear instruction regarding sick leave, employees will show up to work sick and ask whether they should stay or go. You need to remove any uncertainty in the mind of the employee so that they can stay home and get better without risk of spreading the virus to other employees.