leadership during natural disasters

Leadership & Disaster Preparedness:Protecting Your Operation and Employees

Sharlyn Lauby, SPHRITM Group, Inc.

954.659.2237www.itmgroupinc.com

Hurricane Wilma - 2005

Photos courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

Other Emergencies…

• Weather (Tornado, Snow, etc.)• Fire• Workplace Violence• Employee Involved in Accident

Business Continuity Planning

• Create• Communicate• Considerations• Constant

Create a Plan

• Why have a plan?• Who will be in charge? Who will be

involved?• What will the plan cover?• When will the plan be initiated?• Where will the team meet?• How will the plan be implemented?

Communicate the Plan

• Internally– Employees

Company Files

Photo courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

Diskettes & CD’s

Photo courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

Employee Files

Photo courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

In-Basket

Photo courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

Confidential Memos

Photo courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

Communicate the Plan

• Internally– Employees

• Externally– Applicants– Customers– Vendors

What should you say to applicants?

Customer Files

Photo courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

Competitive Intelligence

Photo courtesy of Karen Unger, American Document Management

Communicate the Plan

• Internally– Employees

• Externally– Applicants– Customers– Vendors

• Talking to the Media• Regular Meetings to Review Plan• Communications Tree

Considerations During the Plan

• Recordkeeping– Employee Files– Computer Files

• Resources– Food– Lodging– Money– Clothing, etc.

• Community– Organizations that can help or need help

Additional Considerations

• Scheduling– Flexible Hours– Reduced Schedules– Telecommuting

• Compensation– Payroll– Cash Advances– Unemployment Insurance– Benefits

Photo courtesy of Sun-Sentinel

Flexible Employees!

And, Some More Considerations

• Counseling– Employee Assistance Programs

• Employee Relations– Day Care– Care Packages– Transportation

Constantly Improve the Plan

• After Events:– Review Plan for Accuracy– Make Improvements

• Always Keep Information Current

To Recap…

• Create the Plan• Communicate the Plan• Considerations During the Plan• Constantly Improve the Plan

Thank You!

Sharlyn Lauby, SPHRITM Group, Inc.

954.659.2237www.itmgroupinc.com