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There are any number of employee issues that can cause an organization huge problems and even bring it down. Beginning with the current H1N1 situation, there are many things that employers need to know and do to steer clear of employee situations that could cause business disruptions. This week's articles can help you figure out what some steps to take to keep your organization on track.

Are you aware of the potential damage that H1N1 flu can cause your organization? (Item #1)    How would employees react to public-health instructions regarding a pandemic flu? (Item #2)    Can you/should you stockpile antiviral drugs for your employees? (Item #3)   

A jury could be the ultimate decision maker about an employer's liability in employee situations. (Item #4)   
How do you hold employee conversations about sensitive workplace issues? (Item #5)    Are you including human resources in your business continuity planning? (Item #6)

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at [email protected]

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"Research indicates that workers have three prime needs:
Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job,
and being let in on things that are going on in the company."
- Zig Ziglar -

Articles

1. Does Your Firm Have a Plan to Respond to Employee Issues Related to the Swine Flu?
Most corporate executives and HR professionals might think that the impending swine flu pandemic is strictly a public health issue, but if you are thinking that way, you would be wrong. It turns out that the impending swine flu pandemic is also a major corporate issue that needs to be addressed with decisive plans and clear communications.
http://www.ere.net/2009/05/01/does-your-firm-have-a-plan-to-respond-to-employee-issues-related-to-the-swine-flu/

2. Survey explores the likely responses of people to an influenza pandemic
US survey looks at attitudes to working during a pandemic and how cooperative people will be with public-health instructions.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/news02865.htm

3. Considerations for Antiviral Drug Stockpiling by Employers in Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic
In a pandemic, employers will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety, thereby limiting pandemic impacts on health, the economy, and society. As part of their comprehensive pandemic planning, some employers (from public and private sectors) have asked for guidance about whether they should stockpile or otherwise arrange for influenza antiviral drugs to be available for their employees during a pandemic.
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/vaccine/antiviral_employers.html

4. Documentation of Employee Performance Issues
If an employee is terminated and sues for wrongful termination, an employer will need the documentation as part of the legal defense to help show that the employer did not act arbitrarily. Even if the employee was employed "at will," things can happen during an employment relationship to undermine at-will employment.
http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/workforce-management-termination/11332-1.html

5. How to Tackle Annoying Employee Habits and Issues
Have you ever worked alongside an employee who had poor personal hygiene, foul smelling clothes or breath, or an annoying personal habit like making clicking noises? Or worse, the employee drinks heavily in the evening and then exudes the smell of alcohol, often mixed with the equally fetid smell of coffee and cigarettes, all day at work? How can you handle such situations without exposing yourself to some sort of employee action?
http://humanresources.about.com/od/interpersonalcommunicatio1/qt/feedback_com7.htm

6. Organizing Human Resource Issues for Business Continuity
Part of the dilemma in planning for business continuity is the myriad of human issues to be dealt with - the human resource policies and procedures that impact employees involved in the response to disaster. The human resource function was a critical but often ignored function in the planning for recovery. Because human resources encompass so many factors, it is often difficult to identify and plan for all the issues in a logical manner.
http://www.drj.com/drworld/content/w3_021.htm