Work for or Own a Small Business?

Secretary Napolitano was joined this afternoon by Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen Mills and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Division Deputy Director Daniel Jernigan on a conference call where they rolled out a new H1N1 preparedness guide for small businesses.

“Small businesses play an essential role in our national effort to prepare for all disasters and emergencies—including the H1N1 flu,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This guide will help America’s small businesses maintain continuity of operations and ensure resiliency as the fall flu season approaches.”

The guide encourages small business owners to write a plan, and to be prepared for H1N1 as we enter flu season. The guide also offers some basic "Keeping Healthy" tips for businesses and individuals.

The "How to Write Your Plan" section focuses on seven basic steps:

1. Identify a Workplace Coordinator...
2. Examine policies for leave, telework, and employee compensation...
3. Determine who will be responsible for assisting ill individuals in the workplace...
4. Identify essential employees, essential businessfunctions, and other critical inputs (e.g. rawmaterials, suppliers, subcontractor services/products,and logistics) required to maintain business operations...
5. Share your pandemic plans with employees andclearly communicate expectations.
6. Prepare business continuity plans...
7. Establish an emergency communications plan.

“Small Business owners should take the time to create a plan, talk with their employees and make sure they are prepared for flu season,” added Administrator Mills. “For countless small businesses, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line. A thoughtful plan will help keep employees and their families healthy, as well as protect small businesses and local economies.”

You can check out the preparedness guide at flu.gov.