Firms should plan for swine flu staff shortage

Bosses in Lincolnshire are being warned to prepare for an outbreak of swine flu among their staff.

Industry leaders are urging managers to draw up contingency plans in case their workforce is hit by the virus.

Sarah Steel, of Old Station Nursery, helps helping two-year-old Olivia Murray wash her hands. The nursery has banks of staff it can call upon in the event of its usual workers falling ill with swine flu.

They are being told simply sending poorly employees home will not necessarily be enough to survive an outbreak.

Government guidance suggests companies should appoint a pandemic coordinator with a responsibility for improving their firm's ability to cope.

Managers should also take into account how critical activities would continue if a large amount of staff are off sick.

"Consider how internal resources could be re-allocated to ensure those activities are maintained," the advice warns.

"Likewise, discuss with your suppliers and sub-contractors whether they have robust continuity plans in place – your organisation is only as good as those on whom it depends.

"Consider preparing an additional pool of workers to undertake key tasks and provide training where appropriate."

Chief executive the Lincolnshire Chamber Simon Beardsley said: "It is normal for businesses to have continuity plans, but as the risk to businesses of employees catching swine flu has now increased, renewing or revising continuity plans is very important.

"Business continuity management is about identifying those parts of the organisation that you can't afford to lose – such as information, stock, premises and staff – and planning how to maintain these if an incident occurs.

For more details of the government advice, see Monday's Echo.