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Business Continuity During a Pandemic
Experts are predicting a bird flu pandemic that will be more devastating than all of the hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis of the past ten years combined. Everyone will be affected. Commerce will shut down as businesses will fail due to absenteeism and inability to obtain supplies. Will your business be one of them?
The biggest costs of any pandemic fall on those who are unprepared. You owe it to yourself and the people around you to have a plan in place before catastrophe strikes.
Business Continuity Plans for an Avian Flu Pandemic Largely Off Workforce Radar
As it stands, the run-of-the-mill influenza season causes employees to miss an average of 1.5 days and costs companies approximately $660 per worker for unscheduled absences, taking a toll on human capital and hampering productivity. But as disruptive as the regular flu can be, an outbreak of avian flu, scientifically known as H5N1, could bring business operations to their knees, far eclipsing other recent catastrophes such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
If the pandemic outbreaks of the post-World War II era are any indication of just how bad things could get, the United States can expect to see 100,000 to 200,000 deaths, 700,000 hospitalizations and as many as 40 million outpatient visits--translating to economic losses of $100 billion to $200 billion, says Milan Brahmbhatt, senior economist at the World Bank.
Making this scenario all the more unsettling is the fact that many employers seem ill-prepared to tackle even basic business continuity issues, such as increased absenteeism, that are inherent to any pandemic. In a recent survey by Gartner, a research and consulting company, only 8 percent of respondents said they have business continuity plans that deal specifically with the avian flu. While this survey is far from definitive, it does fall in line with other studies that illustrate employers’ complacency when it comes to managing communicable diseases. Only 37 percent of HR professionals say they have formal plans to educate workers about the regular flu, even though it is an annual occurrence.
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Trade and travel restrictions - International trade and travel would be restricted to prevent further spread of the disease. Even your domestic suppliers may find themselves empty-handed when the shipments they depend on do not arrive.
Absenteeism - Infected individuals (CDC estimates predict as much as one-third of the population in a moderate outbreak) would not be able to work. Even more would stay home out of fear or the need to care for sick relatives.
Demand changes - As consumer priorities change, many goods will become scarce. Entertainment and luxury items will fall out of favor as the need for survival goods grows.
Decreased productivity - Fear, stress, and high absenteeism will take their toll on remaining employees.
Restrictions on face-to-face contact - Fear of illness will dramatically alter the way business is done. Businesses that rely on heavy in-person contact will be forced to change.
Public service shutdown - As schools and public transportation are shut down, many more individuals will be forced to stay home due to children or lack of transportation.
Market imbalances - Trade restrictions, sick workers and lower production levels will hurt financial markets. If casualties are high, real estate will be in oversupply and values will plummet. Many economists predict a severe economic depression, depending on the length and severity of the pandemic.
And more - Our society is complex and interconnected. Many of the problems associated with an avian flu pandemic remain to be seen. This is not just a problem for healthcare or the government. It is a problem for everyone.
Is Business Ready for a Pandemic? - New York Times Article
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Take Action Now to Protect Your Business During a Pandemic
Sign up to receive your
Free
Business Continuity Planner
In it you'll learn:
In a Nutshell - What You Can Do
Assign a coordinator or team responsible for preparedness and response planning.
Identify the company's essential functions and employees who perform them. In case of a pandemic, the absentee rate can be 20 percent to 60 percent. Build in redundancy training to ensure others can perform those tasks.
Expand Web-based tools for employees to work from home and customers to access information.
Develop and plan for scenarios likely to result in an increase or decrease in demand for your products and services.
Plan accordingly for interruptions of essential government services like sanitation, water, power and disruptions in food supply.
Determine potential impact of a pandemic on business-related domestic and international travel.
Maintain a healthy work environment with adequate air circulation. Promote hand and respiratory hygiene.
Inform employees about pandemic flu and what the company is doing to prepare.
Update policies for sick leave, family leave and medical leave.
Provide employees and customers with face mask protection.
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Free Facemask
Included with this comprehensive guide and workbook, you'll also receive a free sample of the Alpha Pro Tech N95 Respirator (see below), which will be mailed to your door.
We've looked at many different facemasks and this is the one that we recommend you include for your continuity plan. If you agree, we can provide you with very attractive price quotes based on quantity required.
To receive your free Continuity Planner and facemask, simply fill out the form below and click on the submit button. You will receive an email in return, giving you the link where you can download your planner in pdf format. Please rest assured your name and contact information will never be divulged to anyone.
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"One of the main components of a business continuity plan is having enough face masks for your customers and employees."
Alpha Pro Tech N-95
Particulate Respirator
Every Business Continuity Plan should ensure enough face masks for all employees for a six to eight week period.
Here's a mask that's not only very comfortable, but it's also one of the most economical N95 Niosh approved masks that we've been able to find.
The Alpha Pro Tech N-95
Particulate Respirator, designed specifically for
use in a healthcare setting, is NIOSH-approved
as a Type N95 respirator and meets CDC
guidelines for TB exposure control.
It has been tested in accordance to Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84 (42 CFR 84), which is tested at 0.3 micron size particles at 85 liters a minute. All N-95 respirators must pass this
test with no more than 5% penetration.
It has also been tested by Latex Particle Challenge at 0.1
micron size particle and has shown a
filtration efficiency of greater than 99.98% at 0.1 micron.
To help you reduce costs and inventory, the
N-95 Respirator uses an exclusive Magic
Arch/Positive Facial Lock “one-size-fits-all”
design. This unique design feature permits
the respirator to be “custom fit” to virtually
any face, no matter what shape or size.
The traditional pleated style N-95 offers all
this without the drawbacks of cone and
duckbill-style respirators which restrict downward
vision and collapse easily when stored.
Integral Magic Arch® — Provides a larger
breathing chamber with no restriction of
downward vision as duckbill or cone
masks do.
Positive Facial Lock® (PFL) — Allows total
facial closure for "custom fit" on any size
face when donned correctly.
Totally Latex Free —
Comfortable, knit
tricot mesh covered
bands contain no natural rubber latex,
eliminating latex allergy concerns.
Traditional Pleated Design —
Saves inventory space, cannot
be crushed when stored, as
duckbill and cone respirators
can, and is easy to carry
with you.
US$29.95 for box of 35 masks
United States customers, please order here
$8.95 shipping for first box, $6 for each additional box
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Please send us an email if
you experience ordering problems. |
If you live outside United States, please order below
$20 airmail shipping for first box, $10 for each additional box
Special
Order 6 Boxes (210 Masks) for $150 - just 71 cents apiece
U.S. Customers order here
$20 shipping
Email us for special discounts on larger orders.
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