Considering the global pandemic of corona virus, it is impossible the extent to which your business will be affected by it. But the need of the hour is to be safe, act quickly and decisively on issues, and be prepared for greater damage. Read the checklist you need to prepare and during a pandemic.

1. Do you have a team to coordinate the overall response and communicate with employees, vendors, and customers?

The team should be tasked with communication that will keep employees, customers, and vendors informed about all latest developments on health and safety, protocols, business continuity plans, and future scenarios.

1. Have you identified a trusted source of medical information to help inform employees and have a communication strategy in place?

The internet is full of false information. Make sure your employees don’t fall prey to this. Issue credible and correct information from trustworthy sources like WHO or national public health offices. Appoint a person who will be in-charge of information.

1. Do you have policies in place for quarantine duration, frequency of testing and other mandatory health and safety practices during this tough time?

Have updated medical information of all employees and ask medical advisors for help. Also set clear policies about whether you’ll continue salaries, perks, and benefits across your organization’s global locations.

1. If you have operations in multiple countries, do you know the legal requirements that may affect layoffs, quarantined employees, or the need to shut down an entire office?

Each country has its own rules and regulations, especially during this time. Task senior HR leasers in every country that you have operations in to identify any issues and provide best possible support.

1. Are assurances in place to maintain a safe workplace?

Providing a safe and secure working environment is the prime responsibility of every employer. Be prepared to deal with refusals to work in particular areas, consider how you can minimize large number of people working together, post advisory notices in advance, and use simple and clear instructions.

1. Do you have protocols in place to allow employees work from home?

Not all companies can have work from home. For example – if you make cars, you cannot send assembly line employees home to work. Make sure you know that employees have the right tools and technology to work from home like email and collaboration tools, is a secure VPN in place etc.

1. If travel is restricted, do you have a business continuity plan to cover all business activities?

Many companies rely on in-person sales and support functions. With the Covid-19 pandemic travel has greatly been affected which has a negative impact on the business. When devising strategies remember that clients are looking to connect with your remotely.

1. Have you provided your leaders and senior management the right guidance and training to handle this situation?

With uncertainty and disruption come other consequences like bias, violence, and discrimination. It is important that the leaders are prepared to handle it all. They need to deliver a positive and consistent message without biasing people on the basis of geography or religion.

1. Do you have complete personal contact information for all your employees?

It might sound simple, but a lot of organizations don’t have adequate contact information of their employees. Make sure you have all the contact information of all employees as this will help to keep in touch if you’ve established a remote working plan.

Source - https://www.adeccogroup.com/futuhreinsight/9-tips-to-minimize-disruption-during-a-pandemic/