4 Signs Your Employees Aren't Ready for Disaster

During a disaster, you have a choice: either you can make money or lose money. There is no “breaking even” when a disaster strikes. But you have to have your disaster program ready, and employees are the critical element that makes or breaks a company’s response.
 

They are the ones who will get your processes back up, expand your client base, and get you back in business. But that means they have to be ready for the disaster. But how do you know if they are ready? Your employees aren’t going to tell you outright that they aren’t ready for a disaster.

Wondering if your workforce is prepared for a disaster?  There are 4 signs that you should look for that will help you answer this question:


Lack of Knowledge of Disaster Plan

This is an instant give away. When employees don’t have even a basic understanding of how the plan works, there is a 0% that the plan will function the way that it was designed. Disaster plans are technical documents that require constant training and employee readiness about them.

They should know how the company will communicate in a disaster, where the alternate site locations are, how to reestablish basic company functions, etc.  A couple years ago I was talking to a colleague once in the recreation industry, and she had no idea where the business would go in a disaster, even though the company had spent tens of thousands of dollars to set up an alternate location!


Indifference to the Disaster Program

In other words…no one cares. I can tell instantly when employees are indifferent to a disaster program: as soon as the disaster program is brought up in a meeting, people start to yawn, or open their smartphone, or show renewed excitement for that upcoming dental appointment.

When the leadership isn't actively engaging with employees, the disaster program is at risk of becoming obsolete. An adaquately trained workforce will keep an eye out for changes in the company that will affect disaster operations.

They also hold regular discussions with the employees in meetings specifically devoted to the disaster program. These are programs that will last in the long term.

Lack of Questions

When employees aren't asking questions about the plan that means they have never been engaged in the disaster program. No disaster program, regardless of its mechanisms and the expense that went into its creation, is perfect.

Employees that are ready for disaster ask questions about the program and the implications for themselves and their families.


Empty Exercises

Employees who are ready for a disaster understand how critical it is to participate in disaster exercises. I have seen companies that hold an exercise from 8AM to Noon, and half the employees don’t bother to show up because they think it’s an optional vacation day!

The leadership and the employees need to understand that exercises are critical to the disaster program, and that management means business. And they don’t have to be boring!

If management takes the time to create a fun exercise, everyone will want to participate.

 
If you are worried that your employees aren’t prepared, make sure you engage a disaster manager who can help develop a customized program unique to your workforce! This is the most effective way to Reverse Disaster.