This last week I saw a link to a PDF in the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce newsletter on preparedness for the Flu Season from the SBA (link below).  While this article was aimed at small business any organization can get items to take action on from it.  While I won’t argue whether the H1N1 flu is worse than the normal flu, I can tell you that I am seeing more of my employees either working sick or calling in due to illness than I have in the past 9 years I have been in business.  I can also tell you that with the talk last school year of having to close schools and daycares due to outbreaks every organization has to consider what they will do in the event of an outbreak that impacts them.  You can be impacted by either staff illness that requires them to not be at work or illness of family that requires employees to not be at work to provide care.  Taking the time to consider what your plan will be and putting it in writing may seem like an exercise that you can’t afford, but can you afford not to have a plan and have to wing it during an emergency.  An emergency plan that is in writing and distributed to the management and staff of an organization can help ensure that your organization can continue to function in the event of any major business interruption.  As a technologist, I think one of the biggest parts of your plan should be consideration for remote access tools so that those employees that would normally come to work and “play hurt” can still do so without having to come to the office and potentially cause others to get sick.  If you already have remote access in place then you should be testing it now so that you know how it will work during an event and if you don’t you should consider implementation now.  Also now is a good time to talk with your staff about their sick leave/PTO and how properly managing it will ensure that both the company and themselves will be covered if they have to be out.  You might also want to consider talking with your major suppliers, vendors and partners to see what their plans are since their action plan or lack of one can greatly impact how your organization will function.  I am reviewing our plan, making updates and testing our systems right now, shouldn’t you be also?

http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/sba_h1n1.pdf
(The article also has a page for steps individuals can take to stay healthy and what to do if they get sick.)

I am always open to sharing what we are doing and would love to hear how you have planned and prepared for business interruptions.  So please post comments and/or email me with your thoughts.

rbetzel@infinitynetworks.net