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Business Continuity (Pandemic Flu)

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Organisations need to be ready now to deal with the impacts of swine flu on their business. Check this page for information, links and downloads on flu preparedness.

ü Ensure staff are cross trained so they can take on alternative tasks if required or take over a critical function

ü Ensure that more than one person can operate / access critical systems;

ü Consider temporarily amending HR procedures to cover changes to work patterns caused by pandemic flu;

ü Consider what critical stocks / equipment you require and take into account that your suppliers may also be working with reduced staff

ü If possible convene a Management Team with the express task of swine flu management.

The Business Continuity Plan should highlight:

§ Critical functions the company depends on and must keep going

§ Key functions at risk because they are done by only one person who has the required skills or knowledge. (Single Points of Failure)

§ Functions that can be closed down for the predicted duration.

Prepare a staff briefing on

ü Hygiene (at home and at work) the official advice on how to avoid infection

ü How to report sickness (you may need to implement enhanced procedures in order to track absences and plan ahead efficiently).

ü What is expected of them during the crisis (you may consider changing the working times, implement working from home etc)

ü Give reassurance that you are doing all you can for them, the company, and the customers.

ü Make staff aware of HR policy on absenteeism, agree this with stakeholder groups.

ü Putting up advice notices/posters (see below) in key areas such as washrooms and drink areas.

ü Check and review HR Policy, PPE Policy and H&S guidelines

ü Increasing the cleaning regime.

Posters to Download

Download our guide: Hints and tips to print out

Useful Links

These links should provide you with all the information an organisation needs to plan successfully for the impact of swine flu.

§ Guidance from the Health protection Agency

Health protection booklet for businesses

§ Other languages

Downloads in various languages and formats from Directgov

file://business_continuity/bc_pandemic-flu.html |