“Everybody needs to be prepared for a pandemic because we don’t know when it’s going to happen,” says Martin Green, manager of security and parking at Rouge Valley Health System in Toronto.

Unlike other events that threaten business continuity, such as floods or fires, which can cripple the infrastructure of a business, pandemics have the potential to more broadly impact a company’s human resources.

“Certain businesses can shut down very easily, and all they will lose is money; other businesses can’t shut down at all,” says Derek Knights Director of Investigative Services with Sun Life in Toronto.

With the outbreak of Influenza A(H1N1) virus, businesses are re-examining their pandemic planning. In 2003, SARS was a wake up call for pandemic planning, but since then organizations may have dropped the sense of urgency to be prepared.

Knights says businesses should be planning for a pandemic and reviewing their business continuity plans. “If you haven’t done it yet, do it; and if you have, re-do it,” he says.

On April 29 the Influenza A(H1N1) infection was raised to a phase five out of six on the pandemic alert chart by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO outlines a phase five warning as, “[a] human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent [”¦]”

The WHO says individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. 

Green explains that the hospitals he works at have prepared for an outbreak with Tamiflu antiviral drug for employees, a four-week supply of masks, and the hospitals have begun screening people at the doors for flu like symptoms. “If people show symptoms they are asked to wear a mask,” Green explains.

Rui Martins, the director of training and consulting, at Respond Solutions Inc., says that while this strain of the flu may be mild, it is a strain of flu that humans have never experienced before. “As it goes around the world, H1N1 virus may mutate, and mix with something like the avian flu — and potentially become deadly.”

Education is critical says Martins and employers should post materials about the flu and offer employees suggestions to stay healthy.

He says employers should also review their sick time policy and consider whether employee sick time should be paid or unpaid and should employees be permitted, and equipped to work from home?

Some simple steps that can be taken in the workplace to help employees remain healthy are:  
Ӣ promote hand washing and sanitizing
Ӣ encourage employees to socially distance themselves, i.e. no hand shaking
Ӣ stay home when sick
Ӣ post information that will educate employees about flu

A complete pandemic planning tool kit can be found at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce website: www.occ.on.ca.