Pandemic planning slips down the UK business agenda
With experts also agreeing that there is a high probability of an influenza pandemic occurring, the research underlines the vulnerability that businesses are leaving themselves open to, with over a third (36 percent) of companies having no plans to address staff absence, and just 11 percent of businesses establishing stockpiles of antiviral medication to protect their employees. The research, based on the responses of over 1,500 business leaders, also found that UK businesses are ignoring the likely financial implications of a pandemic, with 91 percent of respondents reporting that they have not assessed the financial impact that a pandemic would have on their business. Furthermore, 88 percent of respondents with a pandemic plan state that their plan takes no account of finances or cash flow. The research suggests that much of this ill-preparedness stems from a culture of complacency amongst UK business leaders. When asked about the likelihood of a pandemic hitting their organisation, 72 percent of businesses reported feeling it was unlikely, and even 61 percent of staff charged with sole responsibility for emergency planning reported a sentiment within their organisations that a pandemic was unlikely. Worryingly, the research, also uncovers superficial preparation amongst those businesses who claim that they are in a safe position to address the risk and disruption caused by a pandemic. Of the businesses who claim they are prepared, two-thirds (67 percent) admit that their plans will not be complete for at least one year and half (50 percent) report that they have not tested their plans in the last two years. http://www.continuityforum.org/
•Date:22nd Dec 2008• Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC statistics
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