The World Health Organization has officially categorized the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. This means the novel Coronavirus is accelerating in several countries simultaneously. In response, the United States announced travel bans on 28 European countries, and many other countries have closed schools and universities and canceled or postponed large gatherings of people.
While governments globally grapple with the spread and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, organizations of all sizes are asking “How should we respond and what role should we play in mitigating the impact of the virus?” And, once a decision is taken, “How do we do it in such a way that it ensures a pandemic response that fosters calmness; encourages solid practices around hygiene, protective equipment and behavioral changes; and keeps employees and customers happy and the operations running?” Perhaps most importantly, “How do we protect employees who are vital to keeping operations running?”
Is work from home the solution?
One solution, in response to this emerging public health threat, that can assist in protecting employees’ health, keep customers happy and ensure business continuity is to provide (or expand on) opportunities to work from home. Business continuity plans typically make provision for some employees to work from home while work can also be distributed to other cities to allow employees to travel between them. However, with the current travel bans, both local and international, the latter seems to become less of an option. As COVID-19 continues to spread and the likelihood of extended workplace shutdowns rises, work from home seems like the most likely scenario.
Stage2Data now offers Plan4Continuity as part of our as-a-service offering. The Plan4Continuity’s COVID-19 business process automation plan directs and automates the complete process of creating, activating, reporting, and communicating each step during such an event. It offers two plans: COVID-19 – Communication to all people at your premises and Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 which you can copy from the Global Templates list and expand as necessary.
COVID-19 – Communication to all people at your premises
To keep the communication channels open and transparent, you can make use of the COVID-19 Communication to all people at your premises plan. It allows you to send out pre-approved or pre-drafted communication via email, text or SMS to action owners, employees or external stakeholders.
Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
This second plan lets you assign initial roles and a cooperation definition as well as recommended strategies for employers to use. As mentioned above, all plans are completely customizable to fit the needs of each organization, no matter the size or staff complement.
Are you prepared in the event that your employees have to work from home due to quarantine, a virus outbreak or a similar occurrence? COVID-19 plans are now available to businesses for free, in an effort to reduce the impact on their employees and operations.
