What’s the single most important step that employers should take before the storm hits to help employees return quickly to work once the danger of a natural disaster has passed?
Employers should ensure their employees are educated and aware of what actions to take in the event of natural disasters. Having a company manual on disaster procedures dramatically diminishes panic and confusion which can arise in the wake of a natural disaster. In this manual, there should be guidance on office procedures in the event of a disaster, key contacts within the company, emergency contacts, supply lists, and a list of local emergency shelters and medical centers.
It is also crucial to have annual refreshers on disaster preparedness manuals. An effective way to do this is to have a speaker from a disaster response establishment (e.g. The Red Cross) to give a talk on pre-emptive measures and response after the fact.
What are the legal obligations of companies in your jurisdiction to provide employees with time off during a natural disaster?
There are no laws or regulations in the Cayman Islands specifically dealing with companies’ obligations in the event of a natural disaster. It is common practice that no one other than employees of emergency services, meteorologists and other essential personnel required to ensure the safety of the public during a disaster should be working.
It has been generally accepted that employees attend work as normal until such time as a hurricane warning (or other disaster warning) has been issued. At this stage all persons are advised to go home, make necessary preparations to remain at home or check into an emergency shelter.
It is important to note that many companies in this jurisdiction offer their employees refuge in the event of a disaster, allowing them to bring family and pets to the premises. This is not an obligation but a useful practice where the Government needs more emergency shelters.
Once an “all clear” has been issued, employees are expected to return to work. Companies in the Cayman Islands in the past have been generous to employees who have a legitimate need for time off in the aftermath of a disaster.
What five items which should be on every company’s disaster preparedness checklist (but probably aren’t)?
Some of the most important things which should be on every company’s disaster preparedness checklist but don’t appear to be are:
- passports,
- insurance documents, (house, car, etc.)
- medical documents (i.e. health insurance cards etc.)
- cash in case of emergency
- full tank of gas in car
It is also imperative that all important documents listed above are kept in a waterproof folder or bag of some sort to protect them from damage.