Recovering from Disasters

Working at a popular theme park in the Southeast came with a unique set of challenges. When a Category 3 hurricane made landfall, a small seaside amusement park was struck hard. Damage caused by the storm surge and extreme wind gusts caused significant damage to rides and buildings throughout the park, not to mention a loss of resources by way of local vendors who were also impacted. With no choice but to close the park to the public, employees were faced with the immediate need for a disaster recovery plan to execute.

When you think of the term “disaster recovery” most people think of natural disasters, major security breaches, or situations that would compromise confidential information. While disaster recovery is commonly associated with the labor of physical clean-up projects and plans regarding risk management and technology, human resources is another department that is directly impacted in disastrous situations and warrant a disaster recovery plan to be set in place.  

Of course, major natural disasters are things to be prepared for if you’re in a region that may be affected by such an event, but there are countless other catastrophes to consider. Ask yourselves what kind of incidents could interrupt and disrupt the business operation of your organization and/or industry? A snowstorm? A broken waterline? A computer hacker? As an HR professional, taking a close risk assessment and determining how your employees and job functions will be impacted is a vital first step in creating an effective process. 

The benefits of having a plan in place far outweigh the resources required to develop one. With the means to continue operations, you can mitigate financial loss and will be better able to lead and manage your team in the event of a disaster and will be equipped with the knowledge and steps to effectively make decisions. In our next post, we will discuss the primary components of a disaster recovery plan, including how to implement the plan and successfully execute as necessary. Don’t wait until your company is already suffering the blows of a major calamity; be proactive and equipped to manage unexpected events head on.