Talk to Your People

One of the best methods of assuring your company's recovery is to provide for your co-workers' well-being. Communicate regularly with employees before, during and after an incident.

• Co-workers from all levels and departments should be involved in emergency planning.
• Internal communication tools (i.e., newsletters, intranets, staff meetings) that are already in place can be used to inform employees about emergency plans and procedures.
• Set up procedures to warn employees, including non-English speakers or those who are hearing-impaired.
• Set up a phone tree, email alert, Web site page or voice recording to communicate with employees during an emergency.
• Since disasters often make local calling difficult, create an out-of-town phone number where employees can check in with short "I'm okay!" messages.
• Encourage employees to designate alternate means and routes for commuting – such as OCTA bus service – in the event that normal transportation is interrupted.
• Share evacuation procedures and other emergency plans with neighboring businesses or office suites.

 

Since your business emergency plan may change over time, schedule regular practice drills so that everyone knows what to do in case of disaster at any time.

• Practice evacuation and sheltering. As a group, walk the evacuation route to your designated safe spot. You’re your procedure for ensuring all  personnel are present.
• Conduct education and training seminars regularly to help co-workers develop preparedness skills.
• Add preparedness training to new employee orientation programs.
• Keep training records and regularly evaluate and update your procedures.
• Share evacuation procedures and other emergency plans with neighboring businesses or office suites.
• Review responsibilities with the emergency management team and discuss strategies for various emergency scenarios.
• Schedule walk-through drills so everyone can practice carrying out their designated emergency functions.

When your employees are personally prepared, your company and co-workers are better positioned in an emergency situation.

Re-establishing routines, including getting back to work, is important to the well-being of people who have experienced disasters.

Select a personal preparedness tool:

• Get a Kit
• Make a Plan
• Be Informed

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the disaster, the first important decision after an incident occurs is whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate. Understand and Your crisis communication plan should detail how your organization plans to communicate with employees, local authorities, customers and others during and after a disaster.

Select company role:

Be aware of special needs during the recovery period following a disaster.

• Encourage adequate food, rest and recreation.
• Be flexible and provide for time at home to care for family needs, if necessary.
• Maintain an open door policy that allows employees to seek care when needed.
• Create opportunities for breaks where co-workers can talk openly about their fears and hopes. Sharing with others can speed personal recovery.
• Reassure one another that families will be supported. Worries about family well-being can consume workers who have experienced a disaster.
• Re-establish routines, when possible. Workplace routines facilitate recovery by providing an opportunity to be active and to restore social contact.
• Offer professional counselors to help co-workers address their fears and anxieties.
• Once the need to listen for emergency instructions has passed, limit television, radio and other external stresses.
• Take care of yourself. Leaders tend to experience added stress after a disaster. Your personal health and recovery is important to your family and your employees.