Jersey, Channel Islands
Using the following guidelines to write your plan will help analyse the risks and so minimise the impacts of a pandemic on your business:
- Prepare for the potential loss of 50% of the workforce over one or more waves of a pandemic each lasting 12-15 weeks and occurring weeks or months apart.
- Allow for relocating staff to other sites or homes to avoid crowded situations where infection rates will be greater.
- Identify scenarios, e.g. working normally as far as is practicable, taking account of staff shortages and other related pandemic issues; or “shutting up shop” as far as possible.
- Identify the Pandemic Incident Management Team (and a ‘back up’ team in the event of team members becoming unavailable).
- Develop a Pandemic Operating Regime which should become operational during the Pandemic Outbreak phase (or earlier).
- What will the trigger point be? Identify when the Pandemic Operating Regime will come into play. This could be when a previously determined number of staff become absent or when the government officially declares a pandemic.
- What are the company’s critical processes that will need to be sustained throughout?
- Who are the critical personnel whom the company cannot do without?
- Can other staff be cross-trained to take over in an emergency situation?
- Communication – ensure staff, customers and other interested parties are kept informed of the company’s preparedness planning for a pandemic situation and updates are issued regularly.
- Staff welfare – refer to Government guidelines and establish a policy on staff welfare during a pandemic such as how to deal with infected staff, when to quarantine and offering counselling in the event of bereavement.
- Review HR policies with regard to absenteeism, compassionate and sick leave, wages, etc.
- Monitor events as they happen and be aware of government measures such as travel restrictions or quarantines.
- Identify staff who can work remotely, either from home or another location.
- Review IT and telecoms networks to allow for usage by remote workers (and increased customer usage).
- Video-conferencing and other communication alternatives can be used to allow essential staff to continue working productively.
- Supplies – how will critical functions be maintained if essential supplies are disrupted? Check suppliers have pandemic business continuity plans and make sure they are tested regularly.
- Stakeholders – ensure they are aware of your pandemic preparedness planning.
- Travel – establish how travel restrictions could affect productivity and how to deal with employees ‘stranded’ in other countries where a pandemic has been declared.
- Test and test again – test plans frequently and as they are triggered by alerts. Review during each phase and update as necessary.

For further information
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