During hurricane season, our members, their companies and families could be directly or indirectly affected by the force of a storm.
But, a hurricane is not the only natural disaster that could impact us.
There are many possible disaster scenarios and the more prepared you are, the better your company will be able to manage the situation and to keep your employees and their families safe and productive.
We have compiled a list of some of the resources available to you in developing and maintaining your plans that include preparedness, business continuity and disaster recovery. Some are from SHRM and some are from recognized links to SHRM. Preparedness is the best way to successfully manage a possible disaster.
When Disasters Strike: Pay, Leave and Related Issues
When business is suspended or employees can't get to work, numerous employment laws are implicated including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). (8/2011)
http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/compensation/Articles/Pages/Disasters.aspx
Disaster Management Plan: HR’s Role
The role of human resources in disaster and operations continuity planning must be considered in a comprehensive, analytical manner and be linked to the organization’s strategic disaster management plan. (7/2010) http://www.shrm.org/TemplatesTools/Toolkits/Pages/CMS_016206.aspx
What is the best way to plan for disasters that may affect our business, like the Gulf oil spill?
Disasters, whether natural or man-made, are unpredictable and can have a severe impact on business operations. Therefore, employers will want to be prepared in order to keep their employees safe and to minimize operational disruptions as much as possible. (7/2010) http://www.shrm.org/TemplatesTools/hrqa/Pages/planfordisasters.aspx
Planning for a Crisis? Exercise is Key
A crisis plan gathering dust on your shelf is no good if you never run a drill to see how it works. From a liability standpoint, you might be better off having no plan at all rather than having a plan you’ve never tested, a crisis management expert advised. (10/2009) http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/safetysecurity/articles/Pages/PlanningforaCrisis.aspx
Disaster Prep: HR’s Critical Role
Should disaster strike, do you have a plan in place to ensure employees get paid and receive the benefits they'll need more than ever? (11/07) http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/CMS_022081.aspx
Plans for coping with calamities should incorporate Workforce Demographics. (11/2005)
http://www.shrm.org/Publications/hrmagazine/EditorialContent/Pages/1105futurefocus.aspx
Employer's Responsibilities in the Wake of a Natural Disaster (9/2005)
http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/CMS_014046.aspx
Severe Weather Policy (sample)
http://www.shrm.org/TemplatesTools/Samples/Policies/Pages/CMS_000633.aspx
Evacuation Program (sample)
http://www.shrm.org/TemplatesTools/Samples/Policies/Pages/CMS_000587.aspx
Links to other websites*:
BC/DR (Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery) a Top Priority for 2011 (9/2010)
http://www.csoonline.com/article/610113/survey-bc-dr-a-top-it-priority-in-2011
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning: The Basics
Good business continuity plans will keep your company up and running through interruptions of any kind: power failures, IT system crashes, natural disasters, supply chain problems and more. (7/2010) http://www.csoonline.com/article/204450/business-continuity-and-disaster-recovery-planning-the-basics
How to Perform A Disaster Recovery/Business Impact Analysis (12/09)
http://www.csoonline.com/article/509539/how-to-perform-a-disaster-recovery-business-impact-analysis
Crisis Management Planning: A Human Resource Challenge (4/2002)
http://www.shrm.org/Research/Articles/Articles/Pages/CMS_000141.aspx
Ready.gov
http://www.ready.gov/
Sample Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Plan
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/sampleplan.pdf
Every Business Should Have a Plan; Insurance Discussion Form
Free Publications – Business
http://www.ready.gov/america/publications/allpubs.html#business
Redcross.org
Has a “safe and well” list where folks can let others know where they are. http://www.redcross.org
Personal Workplace Disaster Supplies Kit
http://www.redcross.org/SERVICES/disaster/beprepared/workkit.html
How to Talk to Your Employees About Emergency Preparedness
http://www.1800prepare.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-employees-about-emergency-preparedness
Prepare Your Workplace and Employees
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=a7c51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD
How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuation
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3088.pdf
Preparing: Training - How can my business create an Emergency Evacuation Plan?
http://www.vaemergency.com/readyvirginia/business-toolkit/preparing/bus-training
And Tips for Preparing for Specific Natural Disasters:
Floods
http://www.weather.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm
http://www.weather.gov/floodsafety/
Heat Extreme
http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/index.shtm
Hurricane Preparedness for Business – A Five Part Series
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196312,00.html - Part 1: Disaster Recovery Planning
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196541,00.html - Part 2: Protecting Your People
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196709,00.html - Part 3: Protecting Your Data
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196849,00.html - Part 4: Investing in Disaster Planning
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,197052,00.html - Part 5: How to Create a Disaster Recovery Plan
Hurricane Checklist
http://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/BCP/pdf/hurricane_checklist.pdf
Hurricane Preparedness
Another way to get information is through SHRM’s Express Request program. Do a search for express requests and follow the prompts: http://sapphire.shrm.org/HRResources/ExpressRequests.aspx?type=3 Check the hurricane preparedness box and press submit; within seconds you will receive an email chock full of links to pertinent information.
Thunderstorms and Lightning
http://www.weather.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/thunderstorm/index.shtm
*This service is informational only and does not reflect an endorsement.