Supply chain strategies should include adequate business continuity plan not least because of the potential impact a second swine flu pandemic could have this winter.
This is according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), which advised companies to consider various aspects of the business and come up with effective contingency plans.
Senior public policy adviser at the organisation Ben Willmott pointed out supply chain issues could arise and necessitate in alternative providers, stockpiled goods or any problems with each point of the process - so plans must be made to ensure disruption is minimised.
"Identify the key staff and staff with transferrable skills who can adapt and fill in for absent colleagues [and] if additional training is to be given to staff so that they can fill in unfamiliar roles when necessary," he added.
Recent CIPD statistics suggested companies in the UK should prepare for personnel absence rates of up to 50 per cent for durations between a fortnight and a month this autumn and winter.
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