Pandemic may lead to various outcomes, including employee illness of absenteeism, quarantine of individuals or groups, and may require shutting down service centers as people cannot or should not congregate. There may also be an impact to suppliers/vendors, as well as a possible financial impact to as uncertainty may lead to issues with member non-payment and there may be less revenue from sources like in-person classes. Critical infrastructure may also be affected, though the current situation does not seem as though it will have that level of impact.
Following are some actions to consider for your pandemic plan:
- Evaluate the hardware, software and network support for increased use of alternate work facilities (e.g. homes) and accessibility of software and records. Make sure your virtual private network (VPN) can support higher usage.
- Ensure cross-training for shifting work responsibilities
- Implement infection controls (e.g. cleaning, contact protocols) for offices
- Enact protocols for monitoring employee and visitor health
- Ensure services can be performed without meeting or extended contact – for an association or MLS that means everything from onboarding to training and lockboxes.
- Communicate to staff and members/clients the steps the organization is taking to improve safety.
- Encourage staff to maintain their own pandemic preparedness
The only way to be sure your plan is good is to run a test (being as realistic as possible, i.e. key employees unavailable), identify issues, and adjust your plan accordingly.
The disruption that pandemic may cause will require planning flexibility and creativity. The only way to be sure your plan is good is to run a drill on the plan soon, being as realistic as possible (i.e. key employees being sick and unavailable), identify any issues, and fine-tune your plan.