Severe Weather, Unexpected Emergencies and Your Business

Severe weather and unexpected emergency situations can arise and impact travel, mass transit, public utilities, public safety and more!

As a small business owner, you need to ask yourself ...

Do you have a plan in place to communicate with your employees in the event of severe weather or an unexpected emergency?

It’s important to have multiple methods of communications to keep employees informed about business operations and to check in on your team during this time. Be sure to identify key contacts who employees can reach out to for information and direction. Keep in mind some employees may lose electricity, phone and Internet so it’s vital to have various means of communications to keep in contact with your team.

Do you have a plan in place for employees to work remotely (if possible) and the technology infrastructure and resources to support it?

Having employees commute to work may be extremely dangerous and hazardous (or it may not be possible at all) in this situation so having a contingency plan in place to allow employees to work remotely is important. You must have and invest in the proper technology infrastructure and resources to ensure you can initiate this contigency plan at a moment’s notice. Ask yourself ... Can your business and employees operate at or near 100% remotely and without direct access to your office for an interim period of time? If yes, then you’re in a relatively good position.

Do you have a plan to notify clients of any changes to your business operations due to severe weather or an emergency situation?

While local clients may be in the same boat as your business, if your business works with clients outside of your local region which may not be affected by severe weather or the emergency situation, those clients may be unaware of any impacts to your business operations and its ability to respond to client requests and deadlines. It’s important to communicate a plan to your team so clients may be advised or updated accordingly. Of course, if your team can function at or near 100% remotely, then you will be in a much better position than if you are completely down for a period of time. Regardless, good communications is key!

Do you have a plan to accommodate or support those employees unable to work during severe weather or an emergency situation?

Everyone’s situation may be different so it’s important to be considerate of the circumstances. Some employees may be unable to work due to the situation (ex: employee lost power and can’t work remotely). Sure, a small percentage may take advantage of these situations but most employees do not so be considerate of the circumstances and do what you can to help, support and alleviate the stress of the situation. Don’t add fuel to the fire as it will only make a bad situation even worse!