By Lee Stewart
The events stemming from the H1N1 (Swine flu) outbreak of April 2009 have highlighted the need for businesses of all sizes to be prepared for an imminent Influenza pandemic. Managers need to ensure their preparations are complete and that all staff members are educated in order that, in the event of a pandemic being announced, disruptions are minimised and economic continuity is preserved.
As the World Health Authority have declared that a pandemic is imminent it is important that workforces are given access to vital information enabling them to understand the nature of what they are facing and how best to prevent the virus’ spread, thus minimizing the impact on productivity.
Managers are being advised to identify the key areas and personnel that are likely to be affected and also to identify the areas that, if affected, would cause the greatest disruption to their business. Many companies are preparing by investing in training staff in good infection control measures and also to cover for colleagues that are off sick.
It is important for everyone to consider the most cost effective way of ensuring the right people have the right information, in this financial climate efficiency throughout is paramount.
Lee Stewart is the creator of the online education tool Pandemic Ready which is used by a number of businesses to help edcuate staff and potentially minimise the impact of a pandemic in the workplace. He can be contacted via email. lee.stewart@2and2.com.au
By Lee Stewart
Business owners in United Kingdom have been alerted to the need to prepare for the imminent H1N1 (Swine Flu) Pandemic. The British government is going to great lengths to make sure that the excellent systems they have put in place to protect the population in the U.K. are going to be supported by a workforce of staff trained to minimise the disruption to the businesses that are the foundation of it’s economy. Prioritising the areas that will need the greatest support is an excellent first step in ensuring that life will go on as normal if, or when, the pandemic takes hold. Underpinning that prioritisation by making sure that key personnel are trained in all the important skills to maximise business continuity and to minimise the spread of a virus through an organisation is the natural next step for a pro-active executive to take.
The recruitment of temporary staff to cover sickness absence is an obvious action many human resource managers are considering. How many managers have considered the impact of a pandemic on their recruitment department, how many personnel departments will find their training/induction programs ill-equipped to deal with an influx of new, temporary staff? A ‘flu pandemic will throw up all of the unforeseeable problems strategic managers hate, now is the time to cover all of your bases to make sure your team has the knowledge and capacity to work in a situation previously unimagined.
Lee Stewart is the creator of the online education tool Pandemic Ready which is used by a number of businesses to help edcuate staff and potentially minimise the impact of a pandemic in the workplace. He can be contacted via email. lee.stewart@2and2.com.au