Preparing Your Business to Respond to a Pandemic

With Influenza cases on the rise your business needs to be ready to cope

Preparing Your Business to Respond to a Pandemic

You will be aware that the numbers of Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) cases in New Zealand are increasing. The Ministry of Health advises that this trend is likely to continue over the coming weeks and months.

Obviously, a pandemic of this kind or any similar type of crisis will affect your business, your staff and customers. Just how much you are affected will depend on the severity of the crisis and how well prepared you are.

Planning to see your business through a pandemic is important. This can be done by planning the steps your business will take before, during and after a pandemic. There is no one, single response you can plan for. You and your staff need to respond flexibly depending on the situation. Keeping your plan updated will also be useful in the event of another type of crisis occurring.

Information on the Department of Labour website that could help you with your planning includes:

Commonly asked Questions and Answers for employers about potential employment issues that could arise during a pandemic.

Information to assist with business continuity planning.

Workplace health and safety guidance, including infection control advice relevant to the workplace.

Advice on the use of personal protective equipment in the workplace.

Practical scenarios that illustrate the different measures businesses can take to protect themselves.

Keep informed of developments and update your plans, and your employees accordingly. In addition to the existing business networks and organisations you belong to, the Department of Labour, Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Health websites provide ongoing sources of information on the implications of a pandemic for workplaces, businesses, and public health.

Read more articles

Go Online to Make Business Connections

Convert Text to Graphics in PowerPoint Presentations

3 Easy Ways to Share Information Better

3 signs of a dysfunctional company

Get your employees to take security seriously

How to budget for security

Trim Your Outlook Mailbox Quickly

Predicting your company’s future


!

The Department of Labour has a range of tools and resources to help your business. Whether it's facts on HR or legislation the Departmant of Labour has information that can help you.

Additional Resources

Getting it right when times are tight

90-day Trial Period for New Employees

Making Flexibility Work For Your Business

Visitor Unique Identity tracking