In the event of a pandemic, businesses will play a key role in protecting employee's health and safety, as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society. Using pandemic flu as an example, this checklist provides guidance for businesses to develop and improve response and preparedness plans.
Planning for the Impact of a Pandemic
Identify a lead staff person for preparedness and response planning
Identify essential employees and other critical partners
Train and prepare employees
Develop and plan scenarios likely to result in an increase or decrease in demand for your products and/or service
Determine potential impact of a pandemic on business-related domestic and international travel
Find reliable pandemic information from the Oakland County Health Division, emergency management and other sources
Establish an emergency communications plan and revise regularly
Plan for the Impact
Forecast employee absences during a pandemic flu due to factors such as personal illness, family member illness, etc.
Implement guidelines to modify the frequency and type of face-to-face contact among employees and customers
Encourage annual flu vaccinations for employees
Identify employees and key customers with special needs
Establish Policies
Establish policies for employee compensation and sick leave absences
Establish policies for flexible worksite work hours and locations
Establish policies to prevent the spread of flu by using germ control methods such as handwashing, sanitation, etc.
Establish policies for employees who have been exposed to pandemic flu, are suspected of being ill or become ill at the worksite
Establish policies for restricting travel to affected geographic areas, evacuating employees working in or near an affected area when an outbreak begins and guidance for employees returning from affected areas (refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel recommendations at www.cdc.gov)
Set up authorities, triggers and procedures for activating the company's pandemic response plan
Develop and disseminate materials coving pandemic flu fundamentals
Post information about pandemic preparedness and response plans
Develop hotlines and dedicated websites for communicating pandemic status and actions to employees, vendors, suppliers and customers inside and outside the worksite in a consistent and timely way
Coordinate With External Organizations
Collaborate with insures, health plans and major health care facilities to share pandemic plans and understand their capabilities and plans
Collaborate with Oakland County Health Division, share your pandemic plans and understand their capabilities and plans
Share best practices with other businesses in your communities
