Is Business Continuity Getting Left Behind in COVID-19 Planning?

It’s no surprise that the vast majority of companies’ primary business continuity concern is COVID-19. But even with the threat front-and-center, a surprising number of them don’t have a pandemic plan in place. 70% of companies who responded to the International SOS Return to Work survey say their primary BCM concern is a disruption from a second wave outbreak of COVID-19. In implementing a safe return to work, their top priorities are:

• Updating business continuity plans – 60%
• On-the-ground support for colleagues – 59%
• COVID-19 compliance monitoring tools – 56%
• Investing in fit-for-work health screening 50%
• Providing more mental health support 44%
• Site threat monitoring tools – 36%
• Analytical tools for assessing return to work / ops – 35%
• Investing in TeleHealth services for employees – 25%
• Increased investment in employee healthcare – 23%

That said, 21% of respondents said they did not have a pandemic plan and process in place. And in its “Issues Currently Affecting Continuity of Operations” section, lack of robust BC planning ranked lowest. Is BCM so secure that it’s not a top-of-mind issue for organizations – or is it being forgotten?