New Zealand has faced some of the most unprecedented weather events in recent years. Natural disasters such as floods, droughts, bushfires, tropical cyclones, and severe storms are beginning to become more common. The damage resulting from these events can be devastating for communities and leave employees and business owners financially and mentally distressed.
Here’s some helpful tips on ways you can manage this most challenging time and get your business back up and running.
Standing down employees
New Zealand employers have the obligation to provide guaranteed hours to employees who have normal, established patterns of work. This obligation still stands even when businesses have been impacted by weather events. However, employers can look to alternative measures in order to offset the burden during this time.
Employers must first assess the severity of the event and whether the impact on staff is short-term (one or two days off work) or long term (reduced capacity for the foreseeable future due to lasting weather damage). Having a shift cancellation clause in an employment agreement will allow flexibility to cancel shifts (provided that reasonable notice was given) and for the hours to be made up elsewhere. This can be effective if the impact is predicted to be short-term or as an interim measure.
For long-term impacts, the employer may agree, with affected employees, to take leave or find them alternative duties in the meantime. Both parties can mutually agree for annual leave to be used during this time. Depending on the role, employers can also allow the ability to work from home provided this does not disrupt an employee’s productivity.
Safety first
Natural disasters can strike anywhere at any time. The response to an emergency will depend on the type of event and its severity. However, being prepared with an effective emergency plan will help maintain safe workplaces during an unpredictable event.
An emergency plan should include emergency procedures in the event of fire, earthquake, tsunami and other severe weather conditions. Communicate the emergency plan to employees so they are able to respond appropriately. Identify who employees can contact in an emergency, for example fire wardens, first aid monitors and emergency service.
Stay informed and monitor timely weather updates. Check local alerts and forecasts to be notified of any changes in your region. During any declared emergencies, stay up to date with any alerts or warnings through NZ Civil Defence.
Assess your workplace and surroundings. Secure any loose tools, equipment or materials that could become dangerous if they are mobile in severe weather. If dealing with animals, ensure that their safety is also incorporated into your preparation.
Ensure employees understand the emergency plan to increase awareness and preparedness.
Are you alright?
Part of an employer’s duty of care is to care for employees during and after emergencies. Keep up to date records of employees’ contact details such as phone numbers and addresses to check on their welfare following an event. Maintaining regular contact with employees will help them understand the impact on business and a potential return to work timeline.
Acknowledge the stress and disruption a natural disaster can cause for employees and offer support where needed, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) service such as Wisdom Wellbeing.
Scam alert
In the event of a natural disaster there is no shortage of scammers looking to take advantage of the situation. Many scams are highly sophisticated and target small businesses. They often involve impersonating government offices, insurance representatives, or your bank to access account and personal identification details.
Do not provide any details over the phone or online or click on a website link in an email or received in text message without first verifying the authenticity of the website or sender.
Dealing with the impact of a natural disaster is stressful enough without the addition of dealing with scammers.
For expert HR and HSW advice 24/7 on how you can manage your business during a natural disaster and meet your obligations to your employees, contact the team at Peninsula.