Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Health and safetyWellbeingOpinionSevere weather

HR needs to re-evaluatebusiness continuity plans

by Personnel Today 10 Jul 2007
by Personnel Today 10 Jul 2007

Dawn Spalding

Legal editor

https://www.personneltoday.com/Articles/2005/07/20/30868/business-continuity-flaws-exposed-by-bombings.html

http://www.managers.org.uk//surveys/bcm2007.pdf

With the UK terror threat level now at ‘severe’ and the high-profile floods wreaking havoc (see news analysis, p8), HR needs to re-evaluate and step up its own business continuity efforts.

Gaping flaws were exposed in business continuity plans (BCP) following London’s 7/7 bombings, yet, two years on, too many organisations are still dismissing business continuity on the basis that they are unlikely to experience a serious event such as a terrorist attack.

A recent survey by the Chartered Management Institute found that less than half of UK organisations are preparing for business disruption, despite fears of upheaval caused by extreme weather conditions and staff loss. And while 78% believe that business continuity is of high importance, only 48% have a BCP covering critical areas. Even where they do exist, they are often inadequate, and there remains a pressing need to address the people aspects of business continuity management. And the less-than-impressive figures relating to those organisations that actually carry out practice runs is even more worrying.

In the event of a disaster, HR would be expected to take the lead in almost all organisations with formal BCPs, according to an IRS survey earlier this year.

So can you honestly say that your organisation is confident that it has taken the necessary preventative steps? Are you being as proactive as you can, reassuring your staff and offering guidance through emergency briefings and updates via the company intranet?

There’s no doubt that business continuity needs to be driven by the whole organisation, with the ultimate responsibility laid firmly at the feet of the board directors, but HR is in a key position to drive disaster recovery forward.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The shocking events of the past few weeks should serve as yet another wake-up call for organisations to eliminate risk and prepare staff for the unknown. In this uncertain world, there is no room for complacency, and HR must be prepared to play its part in ensuring readiness to deal with emergencies, should the unthinkable happen.

Personnel Today

Personnel Today articles are written by an expert team of award-winning journalists who have been covering HR and L&D for many years. Some of our content is attributed to "Personnel Today" for a number of reasons, including: when numerous authors are associated with writing or editing a piece; or when the author is unknown (particularly for older articles).

previous post
Visa applications centres closure plan raises fears of more potential terrorists getting jobs in the UK
next post
Human resources salary survey: the demise of HR bonuses

You may also like

Decline in workplace deaths: falls from height remain...

3 Jul 2025

Aircrew with cancer pursuing MoD for compensation –...

2 Jul 2025

Employers’ duty of care: keeping workers safe in...

27 Jun 2025

Welfare cuts would ‘undermine workforce inclusion and business...

27 Jun 2025

One in four young workers rate mental health...

17 Jun 2025

Workplace disputes: ‘Most employment tribunals could be avoided’

12 Jun 2025

CIPD Festival of Work: ‘Wellbeing is not an...

11 Jun 2025

Employers must offer more flexibility to working carers,...

9 Jun 2025

CIPD: A quarter feel work has negative impact...

9 Jun 2025

Why cash lump sums may not be the...

5 Jun 2025

  • Empowering working parents and productivity during the summer holidays SPONSORED | Businesses play a...Read more
  • AI is here. Your workforce should be ready. SPONSORED | From content creation...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today