9 ways for employers to prepare for next hurricane

Is it June already? I wish that meant it’s only mango season in Florida. Unfortunately, it also signals the start of another hurricane season. Here are tips on how to prepare your business.

Action steps

Communication. Update the address, home telephone number, cell phone number, and personal e-mail address for each employee. You may need to use cell phones, texting, and personal e-mail to communicate with them after a storm if the office equipment isn’t functioning. Consider having an analog telephone on hand and landline available because digital and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone systems won’t work if the power is out.

Crisis response team. Designate an emergency response team, and provide a list of employees for whom each team member is responsible for contacting after the storm has passed.

Website updates. Provide information on the company’s voicemail system and website so employees can check the status of the business operations and receive updates.

Office supplies. For employees working from home, make sure they have needed office supplies in the event the business is unable to restock them after the storm. You may wish to provide surge protectors to employees using company-issued equipment to help protect laptops, printers, and so on.