Firms offered advice about Olympic business continuity

11 January 2012

Posted by Satvir Bhullar

Business continuity standards will be important for companies preparing for the disruption that may be caused to their operations by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The sporting contests are taking place in London this year, with a dedicated Olympic Park built in the east of the city in preparation.

In order to ensure that companies have strategies in place to keep their business going over the summer, conciliation service Acas has issued advice about preparing for members of staff being out of work.

According to the organization, with 200 days to go to the 2012 Olympics, employers should take action now to address any last-minute hurdles and discuss with members of staff who are volunteering at the competitions how to manage the impact of their absence on productivity.

Acas recommends having clear policies in advance about such issues as volunteering regarding how many workers are able to have time off on any one day, whether they need to take annual leave and any flexible working provisions that are being put in place.

"We're finally on the home straight to the 2012 Olympics and employers should have plans for managing employees' involvement whether volunteering or those watching the events," stated Acas Chief Executive John Taylor.

Security is a key concern in the lead-up to the Olympic Games, with thousands of additional people due to flock to London over the course of the event, something that companies may wish to include in their crisis management and business continuity policies.

The transport network is expected to be significantly affected by the international events, with firms and supply chains advised to prepare for travel disruptions at peak times and maps and planning tools provided online by the London 2012 Organising Committee to prepare organizations ahead of them commencing.

It has suggested that business continuity planning should include understanding how staff get to work and minimizing potential challenges to deliveries and collections.