Multinationals preparing for Avian flu across the globe

Multinational companies are taking steps in many parts of the world to plan for the possibility of an avian flu outbreak, a new survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a global human capital firm, has found.

The survey of 90 multinational companies found that 52 percent of companies operating in Asia-Pacific are considering putting programs in place in that region to deal with the avian flu. Forty-eight percent of companies operating in the United States are considering such plans, as are 47 percent of those in Europe, 44 percent of those in Latin America and 42 percent of those in Canada.

Companies are much more likely to already have plans in place (32 percent) in Asia-Pacific to deal with the effects of the avian flu. Only 15 percent have plans in place in the United States, 11 percent in Europe, 10 percent in Canada and 9 percent in Latin America. In addition, about one in five companies is not at all concerned about the avian flu.

"While focusing on Asia is a logical response to news of flu cases there, employers need to make sure they are considering the possible impact the avian flu could have on all regions," said Robert Wesselkamper, director of international consulting at Watson Wyatt. "It pays to be proactive when dealing with a virus that could have such a big impact on the workforce."

Companies also said they were far more worried about an avian flu outbreak in Asia than in other regions. A strong majority (74 percent) said they were concerned to a great or moderate extent about the impact the flu would have on their workforce in Asia-Pacific, compared with 45 percent in Europe, 38 percent in Canada, 36 percent in Latin American and 34 percent in the United States.

"A good first step for companies is to note what worked and what didn't in their planned responses to past threats such as SARS," Wesselkamper said. "Companies should also make sure to communicate their formal plans to manage through any business interruption -- including alternative work arrangements and reimbursement for preventive and onset treatment -- to the entire workforce, particularly associates responsible for deployment."