The International Centre for Infectious Diseases (ICID) and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are providing free tools to help small and medium-sized businesses plan for the economic effects of a pandemic.

While there are serious concerns about the health impacts of a pandemic, the potential economic impact is also a concern. The 2003 SARS crisis started with a single infected person entering Canada, but resulted in 44 deaths and $1.5 billion in economic losses for Canada.

To help small and medium-sized businesses plan, Winnipeg-based ICID and the Chamber have created a website, Businessfluplan.ca, which will feature online planning tools for small business, Q & A with advice from health and business experts, and current information on the pandemic as it progresses. A French-language website will be launched shortly.

As well, the two organizations plan to deliver seminars in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Vancouver, Fredericton, Charlottetown, St. John’s, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Toronto, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Montreal, Quebec City and Brandon.

“Webinars” on pandemic business planning in both English and French will also be offered.

Because more of the population gets sick with the pandemic influenza, absenteeism rates may increase up to 20% to 25% or higher, with workers off sick or caring for loved ones. Staying home if you are sick is a simple and obvious way of preventing the spread of flu, but it can create a dilemma for businesses without sick benefits, and for workers who don’t get paid if they don’t work.

“Business owners need to decide whether paying someone who is sick to stay home will be a net benefit to their business,” says Heather Medwick, acting president and CEO of ICID. “Businesses should also ask themselves, ‘What part of my business do I have to keep running, and what can I put on hold?’ and make sure they have people to fill in for key positions if employees can’t make it to work.”

The Pandemic Business Planning initiative came about when studies showed that small- and medium-sized enterprises were not engaged in pandemic planning the way larger businesses were. ICID developed the site specifically to cater to needs of small business. This initiative was made possible thanks to funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Businesses can get details of the dates and locations of seminars & webinars by registering now at Businessfluplan.ca.

IE