In the event of a pandemic flu, businesses have a key role in limiting the potential negative impacts to the economy and society. In order to prepare your business for a pandemic, consider the challenges you might face: in a worst-case scenario, you may have 40 percent of your workforce unable to report to the worksite because they are ill or caring for a loved one. Identify the essential functions and personnel needed to keep your business running, and develop a plan to maintain your operations during a pandemic. Establish employee policies for a pandemic, such as availability of sick leave, working from home, and instructions to stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the virus.

Resources:

Federal guidance on planning for businesses and industries:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/professional/business/index.html

The New England Disaster Recovery Information X-Change is a non-profit organization that focuses on disaster recovery and business continuity planning for professionals in the six New England States:
http://www.nedrix.com/

Additional Resources and Volunteer Information

Contacts:

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This information is provided by the Department of Public Health.