Evershed research provides a snapshot of pandemic planning in UK businesses

Research from international law firm Eversheds has highlighted the impact of the flu pandemic on UK businesses and the scale of contingencies in place for an Autumn escalation.

The survey of more than 420 businesses and organizations across the UK indicates the majority (72 percent) have already suffered absenteeism due to pandemic flu. The findings reveal widespread concern over the potential future implications of employee absenteeism, with 38 percent of businesses believing they will lose revenue and one in five (21 percent) indicating they expect to have to close or part close premises.

Despite these fears, the research reveals that while three quarters (75 percent) of businesses say that they intend to put contingency plans in place to deal with a future escalation of pandemic flu, 53 percent are not expecting to implement such plans in the next seven weeks or more.

Furthermore, 41 percent said they have no overall contingency plans in place, and a significant 74 percent of businesses viewed the pandemic 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 organizations 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.”

To date, the research indicated, 87 percent of employers affected by pandemic flu have introduced new sanitation measures and three quarters (75 percent) have distributed information leaflets to employees. 86 percent have also implemented HR-related measures to help manage pandemic flu in the workplace, such as requiring infected workers to stay at home; increasing provision of home and other flexible working arrangements and taking steps to spread the knowledge held by key workers.

Martin Warren of Eversheds continues: “Our research shows the majority of organizations are already feeling the impact of swine flu. Given the current economic situation, organizations are already under pressure, but minimising possible business interruption due to the pandemic must be a focus. Businesses need to recognise this and adopt the appropriate contingency measures.”

“Businesses that are fleet-of-foot in their preparations for a future escalation of the pandemic stand to be best protected if the flu takes hold this autumn. Given how quickly the illness can strike and spread, deciding to tackle the problem only when it becomes apparent could debilitate many organisations, particularly those with smaller workforces.

Further key findings from the research are as follows:

Sanitation
- 87% of businesses have introduced general sanitation provisions
- 75% distributing information leaflets,
- 61% using antibacterial sanitisers
- 22% having a new or revised hygiene policy.
- 13% have introduced no such provisions.

HR measures
- 86% have already put in place HR-related measures to address the issue
- 70% requiring employees to stay away from work when infected
- 28% introducing increased home and other flexible working
- 20% offering paid leave for employees to contain an infection
- 14% have put no HR policies in place

Threat
- The majority of businesses (49%) see the threat of an escalation in pandemic flu as one of a number of priorities
- 38% of businesses believe they stand to lose revenue if pandemic flu escalates
- 26% view the threat as a high priority
- 25% view pandemic flu as a low priority

Future plans
- 41% have no overall contingency plans in place
- 21% may shut down infected workplaces temporarily
- 38% have committed to increasing home and flexible working
- 30% will spread key worker skills and knowledge
- 22% will ban on non essential travel

429 UK businesses from a wide variety of sectors with between 1 and more than 3000 employees took part in the Eversheds research during July and August 2009.

www.eversheds.com

•Date: 25th August 2009• Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: Pandemic planning UK
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