Business Continuity

There are many things that need to be developed and reviewed during the pandemic planning process, but the legal ramifications of pandemic response action steps is an area that many firms have not considered.

Some of the issues that need to be addressed include: the legality of asking employees for health status information, the liability concerns of administering medication, the impact on contract performance by absenteeism of your workforce as well as that of your supply chain, and compliance to existing laws and regulations regarding workforce and workplace management from federal/national, state and local governments.

Gartner Inc. does not advise clients on legal issues.  But, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has published a client alert entitled Legal Concerns in a Swine Flu Emergency that should be reviewed by all pandemic planners.  Work with your legal department to get the answers for your enterprise.