Employers Not Prepared for Avian Flu, Survey Finds
American businesses are ill-prepared for the potentially devastating effects of a global avian flu pandemic, according to a new survey by Thompson Publishing Group. The survey found that 76% of the 468 respondents have no business contingency plan for a possible avian flu outbreak, even though 47% said senior management considers it important. Results of the survey are provided below.
1. How important does senior management feel it is to prepare for a possible avian flu pandemic?
1
2
3
4
5
Response Total
Not important (1) or very important (5)
11% (52)
16% (76)
25% (119)
22% (103)
25% (119)
469
Total Respondents
469
(skipped this question)
6
2. Does your business currently have a business continuity plan?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
63%
295
No
37.6%
176
Total Respondents
468
(skipped this question)
7
3. Does your business continuity plan include contingencies for a possible avian flu outbreak?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
24.5%
111
No
75.7%
343
Total Respondents
453
(skipped this question)
22
4. Is your organization in the public or private sector?
Response Percent
Response Total
Public
44.4%
208
Private
56%
262
Total Respondents
468
(skipped this question)
7
5. If in the private sector, are you in a service or manufacturing industry?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
50.9%
204
No
12.5%
50
Does not apply
36.9%
148
Total Respondents
401
(skipped this question)
74
6. Who is responsible for developing your organization's avian flu business continuity plan?
Response Percent
Response Total
IT
1.7%
7
Human Resources
21.4%
87
Operations
8.9%
36
Team Effort
63.8%
259
Does not apply
11.3%
46
Total Respondents
406
(skipped this question)
69
7. What contingency planning areas are of most concern to you?
Response Percent
Response Total
IT/data processing colocation
41%
163
Sample contingency plans
30.4%
121
Human resources-related issues
72.6%
289
Working remotely
48.7%
194
Coordination with state and local government
35.2%
140
Other (please specify)
13.8%
55
Total Respondents
398
(skipped this question)
77
8. By when would you expect to modify your contingency plan to incorporate an avian flu contingency?
Response Percent
Response Total
2nd Quarter of '06.
14.2%
41
3rd Quarter of '06.
40.6%
117
4th Quarter of '06.
28.5%
82
1st Quarter of '07.
7.6%
22
2nd Quarter of '07.
9.0%
26
Total Respondents
288
(skipped this question)
181
We can help you prepare: Developing programs to cross-train employees, creating telecommuting policies and revising sick leave allowances are possible ways for an employer to prepare. On June 20, Thompson will host a 90-minute audioconference, Planning for Avian Flu -- The Critical Steps Your Business Should Take Now.
