H1N1 Vaccine for Business Continuity

Posted on November 17, 2009 by H. Scott Johnson, Jr.

As concerns about the H1N1 influenza virus (the “swine flu”) escalate across the U.S., business owners face the daunting task of creating and maintaining a healthy workplace for employees. With estimates of 22 million H1N1 cases in the United States between April and October 2009, the H1N1 flu is of pandemic proportions. As the holiday season fast approaches, businesses should immediately implement an H1N1 preparedness plan to maintain business continuity.

The adoption of an H1N1 preparedness plan is especially important for small businesses. As noted by Karen Mills, the Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, “For countless small businesses, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line. A thoughtful plan will help keep employees and their families healthy, as well as protect small businesses and local economies."

Although developing an H1N1 preparedness plan may seem a touch overwhelming, the process is not as involved as it may seem:

  • Identify work-related exposures and protect employees from health risks
  • Include business continuity measures for essential business functions, jobs, and roles
  • Update human resource policies to reflect public health recommendations and workplace law
  • Implement a telecommuting policy
  • Allow employees to stay home if they are sick or if they have to care for a sick family member
  • Establish procedures and triggers for activating and terminating the company’s response plan altering business operations, and transferring business knowledge to key employees
  • Include a process to communicate information to employees

Given the uncertainties of the H1N1 influenza, you must take the time to put a preparedness plan in place. At a bare minimum, you should organize a meeting of your company's key decision-makers and discuss the basic components of an H1N1 plan. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent  H1N1 guide for businesses and employers. So, give your business a vaccine against H1N1 with a preparedness plan, and protect your business from the H1N1 pandemic.

Tags: , , ,