The UK Government suggest in its contingency plan that large organisations should plan for absence up to 15% and for small businesses up to 30%. Also bad luck for smaller organisations as it is said that it is likely to spread quicker in smaller workforces.

Also you need to think about emergency time off for dependents – those caring for a sick dependent, also those advised to stay at home or are even too worried to attend work.

All this means contingency plans for coping in a crisis, this should include:

enhanced protection for sites and vulnerable employees
raising employees’ awareness and testing readiness
maintaining health surveillance and hygiene measures
producing action plans that are specific to locations

Here is a link to the Cabinet Office checklist for Business and a pdf from the NHS on HR issues

I suppose I am like the rest of the country, hoping that it will phizzle out but as the Scouting Movement’s motto goes “Be Prepared”.