Posted on December 2, 2009 by Marylee Abrams

Pandemic Planning for Public Employers

On October 23, 2009, President Obama declared a National Emergency in response to the widespread H1N1 flu outbreak. Cities and counties should have a strategic plan to insure their city or county is able to quickly respond to the pandemic as it develops in their own community.

Many cities and counties already have an emergency action plan in place to address major snowstorms, tornadoes, floods, or fires. With a few modifications it can be updated to apply to a pandemic.

Pre-planning and communication with employees is imperative to insure the workplace can continue operation during a pandemic.  Minnesota state statute provides a back-drop for emergency management situations such as a pandemic. State statute provides during an emergency or disaster, a Minnesota city or county may do what they need to do to provide emergency assistance to citizens in their communities.

This includes temporarily suspending the usual formalities and restrictions of the law pertaining to contracts, incurring obligations, limitations on tax levies, and the expenditure of public funds. Provisions covering Civil Services Rules, and the purchase of supplies and materials are also suspended during the emergency. The objective of the law is to provide the means and authority for cities and counties to respond quickly to an emergency facing their community.

With some advanced planning, cities and counties will be able to respond to a pandemic and continue to provide municipal services to their communities.

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Posted on November 11, 2009 by Marylee Abrams

Pandemic Planning for Minnesota Businesses

Business owners should have a strategic plan to insure their business can continue operations through a pandemic. They should review their employee handbooks and check emergency action plans to make sure they address the following issues which are sure to arise in a pandemic. 

The first four suggestions are important to insure smooth operations of your business and the last two suggestions may help to curb spread of a pandemic in your workplace.

 

  1.  Attendance: Employees are sure to be absent during a pandemic either out of fear, their own illness, or their child’s illness. During a pandemic, schools and daycares may be closed, necessitating work absences by parent employees. Review of absenteeism and leave policies should be done to determine if modifications are necessary. Congress will be considering enhancing employee leaves in response to the current pandemic.
  2. Job Assignments: Businesses should assess whether with proper training, employees can be utilized in alternative capacities or whether core job functions can be combined to insure continuity of operations and accommodate absences. Cross-training employees can avoid the problems which result when a key employee is absent and no one else can perform their job duties.
  3. Work at Home Alternatives: In some circumstances employees can accomplish their job assignments from home. This alternative can insure critical business needs are met. Supervisors should be educated on the most effective means to insure remote workers maintain productivity and communication. Flexible work schedules for employees should also be considered as part of a pandemic plan.                                                                                                                                      
  4. Communication: In the spirit of the old-fashioned calling tree, emergency plans for communicating with employees should be developed. Updating employee phone numbers, e-mails etc. should be a priority and plans made for a process to pass important work information to employees.
  5. Hygiene and Germ Control: What plans do you have to insure a safe workplace for employees who are able to attend work? Additional supplies and training may be required to prevent the spread of germs at your work site.
  6. Travel: Review travel policies and consider options to restrict, postpone, or prohibit travel of employees until a pandemic is contained. Training, conferences, and large group meetings may also need to be restricted to hinder further spread of disease.

With some advanced planning, businesses can insure they will keep their doors open through a pandemic. Employees should be kept in the loop and understand the emergency plan should it be necessary to implement it. And having a guide insures the success of your business throughout the next few months.

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