Swine Flu in Businesses

 

The health of employees during an outbreak such as H1N1 (swine flu) influenza plays a critical role in the continued operations of a business. Business operations that require close contact with fellow employees and the public face special considerations in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.   The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that the swine flu could potentially affect up to 40% of the U.S. Population.  Business throughout the United States may face a monumental impact if these predictions come true. 

According to the CDC all employers must balance a variety of objectives when determining how best to decrease the spread of influenza and lower the impact of influenza within the workplace. They should consider and communicate their objectives.  Some of these may include: reducing transmission among staff, maintaining business operations, and minimizing adverse effects on other entities in their supply chains to name a few.  Employers should expect to see a wide range of disease patterns across the country and should base their strategies and response to influenza outbreaks from local and state public health authorities.

Workforce availability and employees’ access to work locations could be severely impacted. If a pandemic arises, there will be peak outages as employees are forced to stay home due to their own illness or in order to care for ill family members. Additionally, they may face restrictions on movement as government seeks to contain the pandemic.

Without proper planning, businesses will be left to “improvise” (as many did in April 2009) in their response efforts if they become effected by the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus.  This will lead to “rushed” decision making at a time when composure is needed.  Managers may become frantic as they must decide quickly what response efforts they need to employ.  Vendor supply chains will be interrupted.  Procedures to mitigate the spread of the virus, along with a host of other issues will be unfortunately dealt with spontaneously rather than strategically by most businesses.  Certain insurance companies have recognized the immense value a Swine Flu response plan creates and are even now providing premium discounts to businesses with a plan in place.

Pandemic Support can provide businesses peace of mind that comes with knowing you have done everything possible to mitigate your response efforts in combating the swine flu virus.  By purchasing our comprehensive plan you will have a step-by-step action plan of response efforts with the most up-to-date guidance that health officials in government have provided - along with almost 30 years of planning experience.  You’ll know what do to, when to do it and how to do it.  This is a great comfort which will provide a calming effect in your response efforts. 

Be Prepared!  Order our comprehensive swine flu response plan today!