Preparing staff for the swine flu pandemic: Information and communication channels

Abstract

The swine flu pandemic has spread internationally with unprecedented speed. In past pandemics, influenza viruses have needed more than six months to spread as widely as the new H1N1 virus has spread in less than six weeks. In the short term, the pandemic will affect the economy via effects on supply and demand. On the supply side, the widespread pandemic will cause direct (infection) and indirect (facility closure and family containment) absenteeism on a massive scale. On the demand side, fears of infection will keep people away from trade in many economic sectors and their related public places. This paper analyses the available information and communication channels dedicated to managers and their staff in order to prepare them and their companies to face the pandemic. The authors researched UK government and official agencies and online databases to identify material dedicated to pandemic preparedness. All gathered material was carefully scrutinised to identify specific and useful information at management level. Overall, very little information is available to help managers build an efficient and sound business continuity plan during this pandemic. In order to build appropriate strategies to facilitate preparedness and company resilience, it is important to distinguish between managers who decide not to prepare and those who accept there is a need to prepare but need guidance. The challenge therefore is to find a balance between risk and preparedness. Beyond the current pandemic health threat, the coming spike in sick employees and related absenteeism will have an impact on companies and their ability to carry on business as usual. Managers should take measures now, in order to preserve their business and to comply with health and safety laws. The key issue is to set out the appropriate methodology in order to maximise the return on investment and/or return on equity.