Philadelphia: US survey of leading companies conducted by International SOS reveals organisations are more worried about Flu affecting their businesses than Ebola.
• Communication with employees, crisis planning meetings cited as top measures taken by large organisations in response to Ebola outbreak
A survey of leading companies conducted by International SOS has found an overwhelming majority (83%) expect the flu to impact their business more than Ebola in the coming months.
Furthermore, less than a third of companies surveyed has had an employee request to change their travel plans or declined to travel due to this global outbreak.
International SOS helps organisations manage health and safety risks facing their travellers and globally mobile workforces. In its latest survey, it canvassed the opinions of more than 300 companies – including many Fortune 500 businesses - that are responding to the Ebola outbreak.
They were each asked to identify the measures they have put in place in their organisation. The top measures cited were:
• Communicated with employees on preventing Ebola 30%
• Held a crisis planning meeting or something similar 22%
• Put international travel restrictions in place 18%
• Identified and tracked employees in affected areas 16%
Additionally, when asked about the number one challenge faced by their organisation in responding to the Ebola outbreak:
• 35% said keeping up to date with the latest information
• 18% said managing employee travel plans
“The survey confirms what we’ve seen with a number of our clients recently,” said Dr. Robert Quigley, Senior Vice President of Medical Assistance for International SOS. “When a medical outbreak like this occurs and highlights international exposure, organisations need help in deciphering fact from fiction.”
“Organisations with dispersed, global workforces must be prepared,” Quigley added. “Ebola is front of mind today, but you must be prepared for the next, and oftentimes unexpected, event. Having a well-thought plan can help drive an appropriate response.”
As part of their response to the Ebola virus outbreak, International SOS has launched a new microsite (https://www.internationalsos.com/ebola/) to provide members of the public with updates and critical information.
“The Ebola outbreak has served as a wake-up call for many organisations to revisit and update their emergency preparedness plans,” said Quigley. “A thorough plan enables companies to mitigate the risk associated with the outbreak of the disease and is critical in maintaining business continuity when such situations occur.”