Companies could lose up to half of their workforce to illness or absence should an avian flu pandemic befall Britain, and employers are failing to make contingency plans, a new report warns.

As the UN issues fresh warnings that the deadly H5N1 virus is spreading, business information provider Croner is urging bosses to recognise the financial blow that bird flu could inflict on their company.
Firms that do not have contingency plans to cope with staff shortages are putting their bottom line at risk, the company says. "Businesses should evaluate all real and perceived risks to their organisation," said Richard Smith, employment services director at Croner.
"While it may be more front of mind to prepare for other threats such as terrorism, a pandemic could cause even greater disruption".

With many staff members taking time off because of illness, to care for others or to avoid infection, he said that many businesses will find it very difficult to locate cover for absent employees.
Disruption to public transport will also make getting into work nearly impossible for some staff.
In addition, the report cites disruption to supply chains, business travel and the cost of resulting health and safety policies as among bird flu's immediate consequences for small businesses. "Employers can't afford to wait and see to what extent this virus might strike," Smith said. "It's only when they sit down and analyse the impact of a bird flu pandemic that they will begin to realise the potentially devastating effect it could have on their business. If the virus hits, there'll be no time for planning."

Source: Business Link, UK