10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 8: Business Continuity

Regardless of whether a disease is a pandemic, a regional epidemic, or even a localized outbreak, a sudden spike in sick people has an impact on organizations and their ability to continue business functions. What will your organization do if it happens to you?

photo credit: Infusionsoft

Business continuity planning is not the same thing as Disaster Recovery. Where Disaster Recovery focuses on bringing an organization back to life after a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake or terrorist attack, business continuity planning is more comprehensive. BC focuses on continuous operation, not only after a natural calamity but also in the event of smaller disruptions including illnesses such as seasonal or H1N1 influenza.

In my article Is Your Business Continuity Plan Ready for H1N1, I outlined five areas that organizations should place their focus when preparing for seasonal or H1N1 influenza.

1. Appoint a Workplace Coordinator
2. Review Your Continuity Plan
3. Identify the Essential Employees
4. Establish a Communication Plan
5. Share Your Plan with Employees

I believe the advice remains sound, but there are many organizations that do not have a business continuity plan for one reason or another.

Today’s To-Do: To-Do

It is time to examine your business continuity plan with respect to seasonal influenza and the interruption your organization might encounter with increased absenteeism.

• What are the core functions that are critical to continuing business?
• What are the supplies and materials necessary to produce goods and services?
• What are the key roles or essential personnel necessary to conduct business?

Then as yourself these questions:

• How might they be impacted?
• What should be done proactively to protect them?
• What alternative solutions can be used if necessary?

The answers to these questions will spark your planning process. It isn’t necessary to over-think problems, or build a plan that magically creates five layers of backup when you don’t have enough employees. The goal is to cover your bases and keep your organization functioning and making money.

Link: Influenza Resources for Businesses and Employers

Here are other articles I have written on this topic:

• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 10: Team Briefing
• Resources to Help You Plan for H1N1 Flu
• Is Your Business Continuity Plan Ready for H1N1 Flu?