Important E-Alert Regarding Workplace Preparedness

In the Face of Pandemic Influenza

Businesses play a vital role in protecting employees' health and safety.  In light of the recent pandemic threat, it is critical for businesses to plan and prepare for an outbreak. To assist in doing this, the following ten points can be used as a guide:

Begin by planning a course of action.  To lessen the impact of a pandemic on your business, you should devise a course of action that will minimize disruption to your operations; however, be sure to prepare and plan to operate with a reduced workforce.   

Determine your emergency coverage needs.  Identify key positions within your company, such as employees who maintain business-necessary functions.  Ask yourself questions such as when these key employees or managers are out, how will that impact your business’ operations?  Is there someone else who can step in for them?  Are your managers and employees “cross-trained,” allowing them to step in and fill roles in areas other than their own?   

Consider different scenarios.  Varying scenarios may call for different measures of preparedness and action. For instance, your business might devise one course of action if several employees are sick and another if an entire department or the entire company is sick.  Consider how you would respond to different situations while trying to maintain continuity of the operations.   

Establish clear guidelines for your business regarding whether or not employees who are sick or exhibiting symptoms should report to work.  Review your existing sick leave policies for consistency.

Classify employees’ risks to occupational exposure.  Employees’ risks of occupational exposure will vary depending on the nature of their work.  For instance, employees working within the healthcare field have a much greater on-the-job exposure than employees who have minimal occupational contact with the general public.  

Identify a point person.  Select an individual in management to be designated as the pandemic coordinator.  This individual should be responsible for implementing the company’s response plan and fielding employee questions or concerns.   

Create and distribute an emergency communication plan to all employees.  The plan should provide the name and contact information for the pandemic coordinator and include any other information, such as a website or phone number, for employees to utilize for the latest information. 

Make a list of customers, vendors, suppliers or clients who may need to be contacted in the event that your business must close or modify its operations due to the outbreak of illness within your business or community. 

Review all of the above on an annual basis and revise as needed. 

Be sure to contact your attorney before implementing any plan to ensure its compliance with applicable laws. 

 

For assistance in preparing and responding to a pandemic, please contact Amy B. Royal at (413) 586-2288 or at aroyal@rkesq.com