Business Continuity

Telecommuting: the way to avoid swine flu?

By Alice Kok | 4 May 2009

The possibility of a widespread swine flu outbreak is prompting companies to think about business continuity and how options such as tele-work may become necessary.

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Those that aren’t prepared to have employees work offsite may find operations at a standstill if the swine flu threat were to escalate to the point of widespread.

Those that aren’t prepared to have employees work offsite may find operations at a standstill if the swine flu threat were to escalate to the point of widespread absenteeism or building closures, said Chuck Wilsker, president and CEO of The Telework Coalition in Washington, DC.

“This is a really lousy economic time for businesses to have to go cold turkey and not be able to carry on,” Wilsker added.

So far, most businesses that are inquiring about telework to address swine flu concerns are curious, but not overreacting, Wilsker says. “I’m seeing interest and concern, not panic. But people are asking if tele-work is something that can be used to offset this.”

Wilsker sees the swine flu threat as one more reason for companies to get serious about enabling tele-work.

Research firm Gartner said the recent outbreaks of swine flu highlight the need for companies to have in place pandemic plans that address workforce absenteeism rates of 40 per cent or higher.

“The good news is that today’s workforce is very mobile, and many companies are in a position to enable tele-work, even if they haven’t formalised their tele-work policies,” says Cindy Auten, General Manager of Telework Exchange, a public-private partnership focused on promoting telework.

“Many organisations already have the infrastructure and capabilities in place, it’s just a matter of outlining guidelines for employees and making sure they’re ready to work in their environment.”