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Avian Flu Threat
January 1, 2006 Law firms are starting to field a lot of questions from employees who, stirred by news coverage, are concerned about the firm’s plans to prepare for a pandemic. Unfortunately, there has been little advice to HR departments on what constitutes a "measured response." Here are some steps you may want to take:
· Prepare for absenteeism - If a pandemic occurs, businesses should plan for about 50% employee absenteeism for at least two weeks.
· Establish a communication plan so employees can maintain contact with management and each other. Consider creating a special website.
· Encourage employees to store food, water and other supplies to reduce the need to leave home – at least enough for a two week period. Establish a detailed telecommuting strategy – Technology will permit employees to continue work from their home or other remote location.
· If the firm has offices abroad, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, plan on local business closures, quarantines and transportation restrictions.
· Plan on enforcing a quarantine of affected employees. Employees exposed to avian influenza should be encouraged to stay home for at least 8 days before returning to the office.
· Establish a vaccination plan even if vaccine and/or treatment may not be quickly available.
· Run a test of the firm’s plan before a pandemic occurs.
For further information check the following websites:
Center for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov/business features excellent resources on their home page,particularly their "Business Planning Checklist."
US Federal Government, www.pandemicflu.gov has specif recommendations for workers and a "Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist."
World Health Organization (WHO) maintains an up-to-date "Influenza pandemic threat: current situation" site www.who.int/en. | 
