Flu and Business Continuity

Although flu season, according to the experts, is starting later this year, we can still expect flu outbreaks over the winter and, like last year, they could be significant. If you haven't planned for flu yet this year, it's not too late to save you and your employees from the effects of this year's flu season. This week's articles provide insight and information to help your organization get through with the least impact.

In addition to preparing for the impact of a flu outbreak, you should consider what you will do to help your employees stay healthy. (Item #1) The "Mobilizing Against Pandemic" study outlines five simple steps organizations can take to support a mobile workforce in the event of a serious flu outbreak. (Item #2) Learn what two strategies are recommended to businesses and employers this flu season. (Item #3)

Proper planning will allow employers in the public and private sectors to better protect their employees and lessen the impact of a pandemic or seasonal flu outbreak on society and the economy. (Item #4) In non-medical terms the flu is explained, followed by how it is spread and then how all executives and facility management in any organization can prepare. (Item #5) From a numbers standpoint, the flu ravages a business much like it does the human body. (Item #6)

As always, I look forward to hearing about your concerns with regard to business continuity. If there are any topics that you'd like to see covered, email me at [email protected].

Bob Mellinger, President
Attainium Corp

1. Business Continuity Planning for a Flu Pandemic

In the event of a flu pandemic, you need to be ready to keep your business going. If large numbers of workers are out sick, how would you service your customers? Though no one knows what the full repercussions of a widespread outbreak of a flu virus would be, you can plan now to keep your business running as smoothly as possible.
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/business-continuity-planning-flu-pandemic-13751.html

2. Study Outlines Steps to Business Continuity in Flu Season

With the large amounts of data organizations are responsible for, cloud adoption is growing. IT DR managers are hailing the benefits of the cloud for DR -- specifically disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS).With this new delivery method, there are fundamental compliance concerns that are becoming more notable as well.
http://www.cio-today.com/article/index.php?story_id=00200019BYOI

3. Make It Your Business to Fight the Flu

Every year influenza, or "flu," affects employers and businesses. Flu costs the U.S. approximately $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults. The purpose of this Toolkit from the CDC is to help businesses and employers fight the flu and to offer tips and suggestions to consider when planning and responding to the seasonal flu.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/business/
toolkit_seasonal_flu_for_businesses_and_employers.pdf

4. Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed this pandemic influenza planning guidance based upon traditional infection control and industrial hygiene practices. It is important to note that there is currently no pandemic; thus, this guidance is intended for planning purposes and is not specific to a particular viral strain.
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3327pandemic.pdf

5. Don't Think the Flu Can Affect Your Business? Think Again

The flu's impact on industries varies greatly as some businesses may suffer from a loss of productivity due to absent workers and yet others such as hospitals and clinics may be overwhelmed. Fortunately there are some things every business can do to help mitigate the flu's impact this year.
http://www.mintek.com/blog/eam-cmms/flu-affect-business/

6. Business Leaders Can Arm Employees in the Fight against Flu

It may be common knowledge that the flu is a miserable experience - characterized by severe aches, chills, high fever, cough/runny nose and a desire to stay in bed until the illness has run its course. But what some may not realize is that the flu is also a miserable experience for businesses.
https://influencenevada.org/business-leaders-can-arm-employees-in-the-fight-against-flu/