Organisations failing to plan for Pandemic
Category Business Continuity Management Briefing BCM - BCM & Risk Management - H5N1 - Pandemic - General
UK bosses and managers admit failure to prepare for an influenza pandemic, despite recognising and understanding the risks .
New YouGov research launched today reveals that despite being aware of the severe implications of an impending influenza pandemic, most bosses and managers believe their companies are ill-prepared. Over three-quarters (79%) of UK bosses admit that their company has insufficient plans or are unaware of plans in place to protect their workers and annual turnover from the impact of a pandemic strike.
The research sponsored by Roche Products Ltd highlights the depth of concern with 2 in 5 of UK bosses and managers predicting that over 1/3 of their workforce will be absent from work due to sickness, or at home looking after friends and family, if an influenza pandemic hits the UK .
According to experts the estimated overall economic impact of a pandemic strike could cost the UK upto £95 billion , and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health experts are also forecasting that we are even closer to an influenza pandemic than we have ever been in the last forty years .
Yet, despite being aware of some of the likely social and economic impacts of such an event, this is still not enough to prompt business to take action. Only one in five (22%) managers admit that their business is prepared for a pandemic, and nearly three quarters (71%) also predicted they will suffer moderate to substantial financial losses due to mass employee absenteeism caused by a pandemic .
Russell Price, Chairman of the Continuity Forum claims: “This research shows that that despite the warnings the vast majority of firms do not have sufficient plans in place to respond to the very considerable impact a pandemic would cause. By failing to invest in sensible measures to protect the organisation, many businesses are exposing themselves to potentially serious difficulties which would directly impact on their ability to operate effectively, if at all and even, in many instances, force their closure.”
The Financial Services and Medical/Health Service industries are the most prepared for an influenza pandemic, with 30% and 29% respectively, believing they have sufficient plans in place, with just 16% of other industries, who admit to having plans in place . The research also revealed managers surveyed in larger firms (250+ staff) are better prepared to deal with the impact of an influenza pandemic, with nearly half (44%) reporting plans in place .
Bob Piggott, Head of Crisis Management at HSBC says: "At HSBC we have fully flexible crisis management plans which are designed to enable an incident, irrespective of the risk, to be managed and our business and people protected.
“A possible influenza pandemic would have such a large impact for a global business such as ours, that over the last 12-18 months with advice from WHO and other health organisations, we have developed specific plans to supplement our existing arrangements. These include good hygiene and health practices, improved home working capabilities and the stockpile of sufficient supplies of antiviral drug, as recommended by the WHO, for all our employees.”
The research also identified significant gaps in the fundamental steps that businesses need to take to ensure they are prepared, according to managers who have influenza business continuity plans:
• 85% have no plans or are unaware of plans to stockpile future vaccines to protect their employees
• 82% have no plans or are unaware of plans to stockpile antiviral medication to protect their employees
• 45% as yet have no plans or aware of plans in place to equip employees to work from home
• 40% would currently be unable to provide online/Internet solutions for clients
• 38% currently have no communication plans in place for employees and customers
Russell Price adds: “Though this research shows that 22% of businesses claim to have sufficient plans in place for a pandemic our experience shows there are massive levels of discrepancy in actual preparedness. Businesses and public sector organisations are generally still overlooking fundamental points in their plans, particularly relating to needs for education and support. It is far better, and certainly more practical, to address the issues now, rather than hope to cope later. Sensible investment now in Business Continuity Management measures which address the impact of a pandemic should be made to enable the organisation can function. Modest investment in communications, training and even stockpiling treatments will be paid back massively should the forecast pandemic occur.”
John Melville, Managing Director of Roche Products Ltd in the UK said: “It is imperative that organisations start the business continuity planning process for an influenza pandemic as soon as possible. Roche is committed to supporting UK businesses to prepare for an influenza pandemic and believe that as manufacturers of Tamiflu [oseltamivir], we have a responsibility to do so. We are currently working with external advisers to finalise our own internal pandemic plan, part of which, includes provision of antiviral drug to all employees and members of their households.”
The findings from the research are also confirmed by views amongst employees, who question their employer’s ability to deal with the impact of an influenza pandemic.
Only one in ten employees (12%) thought their company had plans in place, and more than half (57%) claim they have not been made aware of a business continuity plan by their employer. Possibly as a result, 85% are concerned by the potential for an influenza pandemic to increase pressure and workload and a quarter (25%) fear their employer could close down as a result.
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