# 2814
Yesterday the National Governors Association (NGA) released guidelines to help states establish effective employee policies during a pandemic crisis.
The challenge for states is stated succinctly (I've reparagraphed it for readability) in the report:
The extraordinary nature of a pandemic—with nearly two of every five employees likely to miss work for an extended period—presents a significant challenge to governors.
They will be required to manage the expected shortfalls in the state workforce while balancing two competing and sometimes conflicting priorities: maintaining essential government operations and treating the state workforce fairly and compassionately.
Underlying that conflict, and underscoring the difficulty of the challenge, is the added requirement to ensure sound public health strategies designed to limit the spread of disease within the workplace and in the community.
The report itself runs only 13 pages, although there is much to consider inside. Many of the ideas and suggestions offered could be useful to the private sector, as well.
Here is the opening to the accompanying press release. Follow the link to read it in its entirety.
News Release
02/19/2009
Governors Take Steps to Safeguard Continuity of Government During a Pandemic Outbreak
Contact: Christopher Cashman, 202-624-7787
Office of CommunicationsNGA Center Issue Brief Highlights Best Practices Gleaned from Regional Pandemic Exercises
WASHINGTON—Governors can play a critical role developing policies that preserve day-to-day operation of critical state services and continuity of government during a pandemic outbreak, according to a new Issue Brief from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices Sustaining the State Workforce: Strategies for Effective Pandemic Planning.
In 2008, the NGA released Pandemic Preparedness in the States: An Assessment of Progress and Opportunity.
In 2006, the NGA Center released Preparing for a Pandemic Influenza: A Primer for Governors and Senior State Officials.
Lisa Schnirring of CIDRAP News brings us a closer look at yesterday's report. Follow the link to read Lisa's excellent coverage in its entirety.
Governors group offers workforce pandemic guidance for states
Lisa Schnirring
Staff Writer
Feb 19, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The National Governors Association (NGA) today issued a report to help states protect their workforce and sustain key government functions such as law enforcement and water treatment during an influenza pandemic.
The guidance in the 13-page report was developed from regional pandemic preparedness workshops that the NGA conducted during 2007 and 2008, the association said today in a press release. Feedback after each of the workshops revealed that one of the states' leading concerns is developing worker policies to keep government running and protect key infrastructure during a pandemic.
John Thomasian, director of the NGA, said in the press release that state workforces represent the first line of defense in a pandemic outbreak. "Having smart policies in place that ensure they can continue their operations as smoothly and efficiently as possible will ultimately help save lives and restore normalcy to communities affected by the outbreak," he said.
Absences from illness, the need to care for family members, and fear of exposure create three main challenges during a pandemic: maintaining government continuity and the delivery of essential services such as law enforcement and firefighting, developing policies that protect state government workforce, and setting policies to address worker shortages.
