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CSR managers around the world are being invited to answer questions
about their companies’ preparedness to tackle the effects of a possible
bird flu pandemic.
The US-based Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College has set up an online questionnaire for executives that asks 14 questions, including what areas of a respondent’s company are most vulnerable to the effects of a pandemic, whether a committee or team has been created to handle the issue, and whether the company has a dedicated budget for pandemic planning and response.
The centre, which believes bird flu could soon become a corporate responsibility issue, will publish the survey results and convene a panel of specialists to produce a webcast on pandemic planning. It is already being asked by companies for advice on the issue, and wants to act as a catalyst for debate.
‘We’ve witnessed an increased concern over the impact that an avian flu pandemic would have on businesses, supply chains, communities, families and employees,’ it said. ‘It’s a concern in many managers’ minds [but] particularly if they have any kind of CSR, security, environmental, health and safety or business strategy responsibilities.’
The centre believes companies will run reputational as well as operational risks if they lack a plan for helping employees and communities in the event of a pandemic, or if they fail to guard against potential effects in their supply chain.
It recommends companies train staff, review policies on sick leave and telecommuting, and consider stockpiling antiviral drugs as a precautionary measure.
The US-based Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College has set up an online questionnaire for executives that asks 14 questions, including what areas of a respondent’s company are most vulnerable to the effects of a pandemic, whether a committee or team has been created to handle the issue, and whether the company has a dedicated budget for pandemic planning and response.
The centre, which believes bird flu could soon become a corporate responsibility issue, will publish the survey results and convene a panel of specialists to produce a webcast on pandemic planning. It is already being asked by companies for advice on the issue, and wants to act as a catalyst for debate.
‘We’ve witnessed an increased concern over the impact that an avian flu pandemic would have on businesses, supply chains, communities, families and employees,’ it said. ‘It’s a concern in many managers’ minds [but] particularly if they have any kind of CSR, security, environmental, health and safety or business strategy responsibilities.’
The centre believes companies will run reputational as well as operational risks if they lack a plan for helping employees and communities in the event of a pandemic, or if they fail to guard against potential effects in their supply chain.
It recommends companies train staff, review policies on sick leave and telecommuting, and consider stockpiling antiviral drugs as a precautionary measure.
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