H1N1 flu preparedness is becoming and extremely important part of any company's business continuation plan. With some estimates ranging 35% to 40% absenteeism rates, companies must make plans to modify the way they work.

Businesses will be hit with a double whammy as far as their operations are impacted by the flu. Their employees make come down with it but far more will have children that contract the disease and will require adult home care. Single parents in particular could require extended time at home if their children are infected.

Smart businesses will do the following:

• Dust off the existing business continuity plan and see if it is appropriate for a flu pandemic.
• Identify those tasks that can be accomplished through telecommuting and insure that sufficient support is available to support it.
• Cross train critical positions.
• Examine existing personnel policies on sick days and personal time off to see if it is adequate for the situation. Make adjustments as required.
• Stockpile critical material. Suppliers will not be immune to this disease any more than you are. If their staff is hit hard deliveries of goods and services may be interrupted.
• If a business relies heavily on outsourcing, check with the vendors to insure they have a plan to accommodate the H1N1 pandemic. If you're not satisfied with the plans, line up alternative vendors.
• Communicate the plan to your employees so they can make their own plans on how to handle the outbreak at the family level. Talk up general preventive measures and encourage employees to practice them.
• Stock up on sanitizing gel, spay and soaps and encourage their use at work particularly in common areas like copiers, lunch rooms, faxes and supply areas.

In a sense, planning for this flu outbreak is very similar to earthquake or hurricane preparedness. The time to plan is now. The time to encourage employees to plan is now. The vaccine will not be available until mid October and most of your staff will not be eligible to get it anyhow.

A well prepared business will have a distinctive competitive edge during this flu season.