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Oakview Consulting Ltd Swine flu bulletin |
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Swine flu: the second wave...
As two-thirds of businesses indicate that swine flu is already in their organisation, research from international law firm Eversheds reveals the impact of the pandemic on UK business, and the scale of planning undertaken.
The survey of more than 420 businesses and organisations across the UK indicates the majority (72%) have already suffered absenteeism due to swine flu. The findings reveal widespread concern over the potential future implications of employee absenteeism, with 38% of businesses believing they will lose revenue and one in five (21%) indicating they expect to have to close or part close premises.
Despite these fears, the research reveals that while three quarters (75%) of businesses say that they intend to put contingency plans in place to deal with a future escalation of swine flu, 53% are not expecting to implement such plans in the next seven weeks or more.
Furthermore, 41% said they have no overall contingency plans in place, and a significant 74% of businesses viewed the swine flu threat as a mid to low level priority.
Commenting on the findings, Martin Warren , head of employment law at Eversheds international law firm, says: "All organisations should have a contingency plan in place which addresses the risk of swine flu and tackles business continuity issues should the virus take hold. At a tactical level, this may include the redeployment of staff, hiring additional agency labour, increasing stand-by cover for key operational roles and the temporary shutdown of infected workplaces." |
Managing through...or muddling?
Despite reports that Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, is confident that "we are tantalisingly close" to winning the swine flu battle, he still predicts a potential 12% absentee rate in late 2009, with some estimates increasing that still further in 'hot spot' areas.
The latest government estimate, to the extent that current data allow, is that 50% of the population will suffer Swine flu to some degree. Evershed's research shows that some firms already have problems.
John Wade comments "organisations need to consider the potential impact of losing up to 1 in 8 of their staff, particularly in smaller departments, and put cross-training and other risk-reduction strategies into place. He adds "for example, many IT departments have low staff numbers, and businesses need to think about having others trained in backup processes to have at least someone to reduce the risk that data recovery is less compromised by the absence of key staff."
He finishes "businesses need to be sure they can cope before the second wave hits..." |
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About Oakview Consulting Ltd
Oakview Consulting Limited provides business continuity, project and change management, and consulting services to the small and medium-sized business and organisation sectors. |
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Oakview Consulting Limited is registered at Companies House in England and Wales under Company number 6781824, and its registered office is at 71B High Street, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK11 1AY
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