Ottawa Chamber of Commerce

Pandemic Planning Tool Kit

Getting Started on Business Continuity Planning for an Influenza Pandemic

What is business continuity planning?
Why should your business or organization prepare for an influenza pandemic?
In the event of an influenza pandemic, what are the greatest concerns for a business?
How can you get ready?

PDF version

What is business continuity planning?

Business and service continuity planning could allow your business to continue without interruption. When emergencies hit, the right plan can help your business or organization significantly minimize the effects or disruptions caused by external/internal events.

Why should your business or organization prepare for an influenza pandemic?

Experts warn that an influenza pandemic is inevitable and that we are overdue. On average, pandemics strike three times a century. Globally, in the last century, we have witnessed the Spanish Flu (1918), the Asian Flu (1957) and the Hong Kong Flu (1968). The City of Ottawa has rated a public health outbreak, such as influenza pandemic, as its number one vulnerability and is preparing for this emergency.

[ top ]

In the event of an influenza pandemic, what are the greatest concerns for a business?

Absenteeism: Health experts are estimating that as much as 15 to 35 per cent of residents could become ill with influenza, resulting in a high rate of absenteeism at work. Employees may be absent due to their own illness, caring for sick family members and may have a lengthy physical and emotional recovery from the illness.

Disrupted services: High rates of absenteeism also affect the external resources and infrastructure that your business regularly depends on, like suppliers and transportation.

Duration: Influenza pandemics typically occur in two or more waves, each lasting six to eight weeks. It is important to prepare for more than one episode.

[ top ]

How can you get ready?

Preparedness, both at the organizational and individual level, is vital to reducing the impact of an influenza pandemic on your business. Here are some recommendations on how to plan ahead:

Organizational Preparedness:

• Begin your planning by referring to the Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace Checklist
• Design a continuity plan that identifies the functions critical to your organization, the potential impacts and what your organization can do to recover from the emergency.
• Create a communications plan that facilitates open and consistent information to staff, clients and stakeholders.
• Stay informed about the status of the influenza pandemic in Ottawa by visiting our Web site. The Medical Officer of Health will issue recommendations about measures the community can take to decrease the spread of influenza.

Individual Preparedness:

• Help your employees prepare and protect themselves at an individual level.
• Share strategies on how to effectively reduce the spread of influenza. Infection control measures can include social distancing, cleaning and personal hygiene.
• For more information, direct employees to the fact sheet entitled “What are the 3 most important things YOU can do to prevent the spread of colds, flu or an influenza pandemic?”

[ top ]

Refer to the Ontario Government’s Guide to Developing a Workplace Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic on their Web site or consult your Occupational Health and Safety, Human Resources and Employee Assistance Program representatives.

To speak with a public health nurse, call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.

Protect and Support Your Employees: People are your most important asset!

[ top ]