CrisisEmergencyLeadership
Performance Under Pressure
Pandemic Flu
Pandemic Flu has been an increasing threat for many years with the risk of an animal strain of the virus crossing species becoming more and more likely. Avian and Swine flu have both demonstrated this ability and the consequences are only now becoming apparent.
OCTO has been helping companies around the world prepare for this pandemic and now is the time for those organisations or businesses that have yet to consider the implications for them, to take action. On a normal day a company is like a jigsaw, all bits functioning and fitting together. In a pandemic, parts of the jigsaw are missing. The challenge is to keep it all working.
Top Ten Tips for Business
| Top Tip | Because | |
| 1 | Get your staff involved NOW in 'What-if' planning. | Your staff will know the problems and, if prompted in the right way, will find the answers. |
| 2 | Cross-train staff in essential activities. | For instance: if only one person can run the computer back-up and they fall ill, you may lose your data. |
| 3 | Work out practical measures to keep your staff working. | Schools will close; people may be frightened to travel to work. Consider working from home; flexible hours to fit around child care; avoid peak travel times. |
| 4 | Develop plan for loss or damage to essential facilities, suppliers and services. | You can expect some disruption but it is difficult to predict where. Know your points of vulnerability and be prepared to invest a modest amount in alternatives. |
| 5 | Maintain good workplace standards of cleanliness. | It really makes a difference. Don't share phones, keyboard, tools, crockery, pens etc. Stock extra cleaning materials. Clean surfaces often. Wipe door handles. |
| 6 | Train staff in simple infection avoidance measures. | Simple precautions reduce spread. Use of tissues, properly disposed of. Regular hand-washing. |
| 7 | Maintain 2m working distance if possible. | Flu virus needs close contact. Keep people apart. No physical contact as a rule. NB. Professional responders like health-care practitioners will wear masks in close contact. |
| 8 | Keep your customers and suppliers well informed. | Because it will help them plan and builds trust. |
| 9 | Co-ordinate your plans with those of your neighbours. | You may well experience different problems at different times. Your business neighbour is often not your competitor. You can help one another. |
| 10 | Minimise meetings and business travel. Stay at home and look after yourself if you are ill. Don't be a hero. | Don't risk contact if you are unwell or suspect you are unwell; the flu virus spreads very easily. |