5.11 Pandemic business continuity planning
Unlike most disasters that are short, sharp and localised, a pandemic will be widespread, last for several months and come in waves. Organisations can expect that at the peak of a pandemic, between 30 and 50 per cent of staff and volunteers to be absent from work due to illness, fear of contamination, caring responsibilities or restrictions of movement. As more people become ill, absenteeism will increase. This will have a profound effect on your organisation and its ability to continue operating, especially at a time when the particular services your organisation provides may be in even greater demand. [Excerpt from the FAHCSIA pandemic planning website]
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA) pandemic planning website
The FAHCSIA website provides information on pandemic planning and includes a Pandemic Influenza Work Book - Building resilience through business continuity and pandemic planning for non-government organisations.
FAHCSIA pandemic planning website: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/communities/progserv/Documents/pandemic_influenza/default.htm
Funded Agency Channel
Further information is also available on the Department of Human Services' website for funded organisations, the Funded Agency Channel, on the web page 'Preparedness is key to organisational and community recovery from the impacts of disasters'.