When Disaster Strikes: Assessing Workforce Readiness Around the World

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES: ASSESSING WORKFORCE PULL DOWN TREADINESS No part of the globe remains free from the threat of natural and manmade disasters. In fact, 2011 was one of the worst years on record - especially in Asia and the Americas. From earthquakes to tsunamis to tornadoes, people lost their lives, homes and property at a devastating rate. Employers, meanwhile, must deal with the impact of such events on their employees and operations. Through Mercer's Survey on Workforce Readiness: When Disaster Strikes, more than 140 organizations reflected on the past year and their own preparedness. EMERGENCY EMERGENCY NIT OUR PLAN IS AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE... It is rare these days to find a company without a business continuity plan; not so a workforce readiness plan. In fact, 38% of survey respondents admitted to having no plan to address disaster workforce issues. PERCENT WITH NO WORKFORCE READINESS PLAN 38% OVERALL ESEAKELAS 43% ASIA 29% AMERICAS SOURCE: Mercer 2012 Survey on Workforce Readiness: When Disaster Strikes NO NEED TO ACTIVATE ENERGENCY USE Luckily, 52% of respondents with a workforce readiness plan did not need to activate it in 2011. Among those that did, fewer than one in three precisely followed the plan. About half somewhat/loosely followed it and almost 20% didn't follow it all. HOW ORGANIZATIONS FOLLOWED THEIR PLAN (AMONG THOSE THAT ACTIVATED IT IN 2011) COMPLETELY |SOMEWHAT/LOOSELY NOT FOLLOWED OVERALL 29% 53% 18% ASIA 26% 62% 12% AMERICAS 31% 44% 26% SOURCE: Mercer 2012 Survey on Workforce Readiness: When Disaster Strikes SPRINGING INTO ACTION During a disaster, certain events are more likely to compel action on the part of employers. TOP ACTIONABLE ITEMS 78% 72% 61% DIRECT IMPACT LOSS OF LIFE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON OFFICE INSTRUCTIONS INFRASTRUCTURE SOURCE: Mercer 2012 Survey on Workforce Readiness: When Disaster Strikes CAN WE MAKE IT BETTER? Mercer's survey was conducted in early 2012, one year after the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear incident. Respondents were asked if, in light of the events of 2011, they had made any changes to their workforce readiness plans. Just over one-third (37%) had done so. PERCENTAGE THAT MADE CHANGES YES NO 37% 64% 23% 77% 51% 49% OVERALL ASIA AMERICAS Numbers may not total 100% due to rounding. SOURCE: Mercer 2012 Survey on Workforce Readiness: When Disaster Strikes