Tips for employers on what to do when weather disasters strike

It’s almost winter, and when the cold winds blow, blizzards, ice storms, and dangerous temperatures often disrupt business. Certainly, bad weather can hit at any time of year, so employers always need to understand their legal obligations. But an organization’s response should go beyond those requirements. Employers also need to know how to help their employees, who are, after all, key to recovery.

Have a plan

Peak hurricane season is past now, but this fall saw catastrophic hurricanes in the Southeast that destroyed homes and businesses, forced mass evacuations, and left death and destruction across wide swaths of several states.

One of the frustrating problems was a lack of communication. With electricity, cell service, and internet outages that went on for weeks, employers struggled to even check in with their employees.

Wintertime weather events can wreak similar havoc. So, it’s important to have a plan. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers information on how to develop an emergency action plan (EAP), a step that’s mandatory for certain types of employers.