Introduction
Human Resources is, per the name, responsible for the safety and welfare of the staff members of an organization. This responsibility becomes amplified during a pandemic, where staff members have to be kept safe from getting infected, infecting each other, and keeping sane during a lockdown situation.
Human Resources Role on Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Any outbreak strikes directly at your most valuable asset — your employees — and could last for months, so at the very least, plan for absenteeism.
When your organization develops an impact analysis, work with your partners in risk management and business operations to determine which roles are necessary for the organization to function.
Two key steps to take:
- Identify Key Business Functions
- Identify Key Roles, Activities and Skill Sets
Identify Key Business Functions
- Some will be critical based on the role they play — such as their links to business priorities in a given region or to mission-critical products in a specific location.
- Prioritize customer and contractor relationships that you need to maintain as long as possible.
- Pinpoint functions impacted directly by “surge” activities that arise or increase during an outbreak or if a pandemic occurs.
Identify Key Roles, Activities and Skill Sets
- You need some under all circumstances; others can be suspended for a short time or an extended period without damaging business activities.
- Build operational resilience by bolstering bench strength in critical areas and consider distributing essential roles and functions geographically in case one region needs to suspend operations temporarily.
Considerations
- Can our company operate with 25% or greater absenteeism?
- If illness causes high absenteeism, are employees cross-trained and able to perform multiple duties?
- Can our employees work remotely?
- What infrastructure support is needed to support a shift to an at-home workforce?
- Will our company monitor, or even restrict, travel to high-risk regions?
- What procedures do we have in place to decontaminate the facility and its heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems, electronic equipment and soft materials (blankets, curtains, etc.)?
- What assurances do we need to provide to the facility staff members so they feel safe at work?
- How will traveling employees be brought home, particularly if they are sick?
- Are there escalation procedures to get additional resources?
- Is there a trained and representative crisis management team that includes on-call staff, and do those team members know what is expected of them?
- Are staff mentally fit when remote work is activated? Are they coping well?
Reference
https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/10-questions-for-an-hr-pandemic-plan/
https://www.dms.myflorida.com/content/download/131614/819556/2020_Human_Resources_Pandemic_Emergency_Response_Program_Manual.pdf
Reference Guide
Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager’s Guide to Implement Your Infectious Disease Business Continuity Plan, 2nd Edition. GMH Pte Ltd.
Do You Want to Continue Training During A Pandemic Outbreak?
Due to the pandemic outbreak, BCM Institute will be conducting its certification courses via interactive video conferencing, online and e-learning mode. Find out more about the Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Crisis Management (CM) Blended Learning (BL) courses.
For this period, the content will include the managing and implementing of the Pandemic Influenza plans.