Pandemic Flu and Business Continuity Plans – 
The missing link
Patti Dunham, MBA, MA, SPHR
Kristin Kaminski

Throughout time, epidemic illnesses have claimed millions of lives.  Pandemic influenza events include the 1918 flu which claimed 50 to 100 million lives worldwide, the 1957 flu which claimed 70,000 lives, and the 1968 flu which killed over 34,000.  With this in mind, and the emergence of the latest strain of influenza known as ‘Bird Flu’, businesses and individuals need to take a hard look at what the world will be like during the next pandemic influenza event and prepare for such an event.  Whether we are ready to believe it or not, World Health leaders acknowledge that the question of a pandemic flu event is not if, but when it will occur.  Ed Marcuse, co-author of the Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Advisory Plan put it this way “…the clock is ticking.  We just don’t know what time it is”.  Are you and your organization ready for that time to come?

Imagine the following scenario.  Once established, the influenza will rapidly move across the globe affecting regions and metropolitan areas in multiple waves, each lasting several weeks.  Studies from the 1918 pandemic have taught modern public health leaders valuable lessons in how to plan for the next pandemic; most importantly, managing the disease through what is referred to as “social distancing”.  This will become common place during the pandemic.   Elimination of contact with those infected is the best method to prevent illness other than vaccine which will not be ready for months after the onset of such an illness.  As such, organizations must prepare for this and work with public health officials to help eliminate the spread of such disease and to protect ourselves and employees through social distancing.  For many, our business continuity or emergency preparedness plans have addressed this threat and help us to manage the Department of Health and Human Services estimated 40% rate of absenteeism that will result from such a pandemic.  Absenteeism which will result from employees falling ill, leaving to care of other family members, dealing with grief from someone around them who died, taking care of children due to school closures, transportation closures, quarantines, or just plain fear.  So what else do we need to do?   

The most important first step is awareness – awareness for organizations and employees.  In Mercer’s 2006 Avian Flu Pandemic Awareness Study, it is evident that employers understand the potential for such an event, but have not yet prepared for it.  In the study, 95% of respondents were aware of the potential for a pandemic flu outbreak.  90% of respondents also indicated that the absenteeism associated with such an event would result in moderate to high impact on their business.  Yes, from this study and others it appears that we are aware but awareness does not equal preparedness.

The next step is business preparedness.  Even with 95% armed with awareness of a potential event, only 45% of the respondents indicated they have established any type of business continuity plan.  For those of you who have a plan, it is time to take out the plan and dust it off – making sure that you have addressed the potential for a pandemic emergency.  For those of you who do not have a business continuity plan--now is the time.  There will be no time to create one once the crisis begins, an influenza outbreak could spread worldwide in as little as 20 to 30 days.  Remember to keep certain things in mind regarding potential significant absences – How many people do you need to keep your organization running?  Is it possible to allow employees to work from home during such an event?  If so, can your servers handle such an influx and are they secure?  Is it possible (and safer) to close and if so how will you handle such issues as compensation and benefits during that time? 

The final step is what we believe to be the missing link for many employers - assisting our employees with their own home preparedness.  In a review of most business continuity plans, it appears that we are not truly arming our employees with the information to survive such a catastrophic event in their homes.  This is a missing link that employers can easily embrace which could potentially make the difference on whether or not the organization survives such an epidemic. 

We have learned from our wellness initiatives that employers play a huge part in the health and well-being of their employees.  This also lies true in preparedness.  Successful preparedness plans will include awareness and preparedness for employees at home so they are able to survive such an event.  Your organization will have a difficult time surviving a pandemic flu event if your employees do not survive.  Preparing them at home for the event is the missing link that must be addressed.  Some employers have figured this out.  The American Legacy Foundation understands the importance of this part of preparedness and has not only educated its employees but has also provided home provisions to last six to eight weeks in the event of a ‘shelter in place’ initiative.  Provisions are specifically tailored for each employee and were created according to the CDC guidelines including such things as non-perishable food, vitamin C tablets, water, first aid kits, masks, bleach, flashlights, tools, and can openers for employees use in the case of such an emergency.

Aside from providing supplies, educating employees to assist in their own personal preparedness is essential.  Employees must be aware of the importance of maintaining a supply of blankets, medicines, and funds (yes…cash money) in the event of an emergency.  Employers can help employees by providing information on the various resources available.  Many useful websites have been established that provide useful preparedness information including: www.reallyready.org; www.ready.gov, and locally, www.Ohiopandemicflu.gov; just to name a few.

By helping to prepare your company, your employees, and your employee’s families not only are you helping make sure that your organization can continue with minimal disruptions, but you are also helping to boost the morale of your employees.  By showing them that you care about them and their wellbeing you are helping them have one less thing to worry about, allowing them to better serve your company. 

Lisa Koonin, MPH, MN, director of business partnerships at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing, says, “Businesses have a very important role in preparedness in terms of protecting the health of employees and communities.”  Social distancing – keeping the sick people and well people apart will be the single most important factor to help reduce the spread of the illness.  As a result, the impact on business could be substantial but effective preparedness – planning that arms our employees with the ability to help themselves will make the difference in a successful plan and one that is not effective. 

Patti Dunham and Kristin Kaminski are with Strategic Human Resources , Inc. (http://www.StrategicHRinc.com).  If you have any questions or would like to share your comments or success stories with either of these consultants, contact them via Patti at:  Patti@StrategicHRInc.Com