During a pandemic, many issues may come up about what is the best way to keep your business operational, and at the same time, knowing how to protect your employees from the effects of a major influenza outbreak.

Business will be affected by staff absenteeism as well as shortages of supplies and customers. Check out the business continuity plan for more possible impacts, and ideas on how to overcome them.

Be ready ahead of time!

While no one can say when a pandemic will arrive, it is estimated that there will only be about 3 or 4 weeks between when human-to-human transmission of a new virus is confirmed, and its arrival in Canada.

Tools for Every Business

• A Business Continuity Plan that covers pandemic and infectious disease situations (booklet - PDF).
• Slow the Spread! Poster (PDF)
• Handwashing Posters - at the sink, or when using sanitizing gels. (PDFs)
• Pandemics and OSH Laws
• Protective Equipment - know the issues

More Tips!

• 10 Steps You Can Take - A Checklist for Business Pandemic Planning)
• 5 Ways A Business Can Help Their Employees
• Make sure employees who are working at home still have a suitable office arrangement. Click here for tips when Teleworking. Office ergonomic ideas will help too!
• When people are working by themselves, it is important to develop a communication schedule to keep in touch! Many suggestions in this Working Alone document may help.

Don't forget to check out the many tools and documents we have listed in the Resources section.