SWIFT's contingency plans in response to a pandemic disease situation
Safety of staff and continuity of operations are paramount
Published on August 24, 2009
Since 2005, SWIFT has a process to monitor and plan for the possibility of a pandemic. The focus has been on pre-emptive measures to ensure that the company can provide a safe work environment under pandemic conditions as well as to ensure the continuity of its operations.
SWIFT currently focuses on six areas and is confident that these measures will help mitigate the impact on its operations of an influenza pandemic.
We are ready to activate our pandemic flu contingency plan, at any time, if necessary. Clear escalation criteria have been defined. At that moment SWIFT will shift its effort to ensuring a safe work environment under pandemic conditions, minimising the risk of disruption for customers and concentrating on critical functions only. Measures will be different depending on absenteeism rate.
For answers to frequently asked questions on pandemic diseases, please visit the World Health Organisation website.
Six areas of focus
Customers
SWIFT has contingencies to ensure that, should the situation deteriorate, SWIFT can mitigate the impact on staff and continue to support the business activities of customers 'around-the-clock'. All project work and changes at SWIFT and at the customer side will be limited to urgent and blocking items only.
Staff health
The health and safety of our staff and visitors and the continued availability of our services are extremely important.
SWIFT encourages staff to get an annual flu vaccination. SWIFT has news, travel advisories and preventative guidelines posted on its intranet to inform staff about the risks associated with the pandemic and precautions to take.
Remote working
SWIFT has increased the roll out of laptops and ancillary equipment to enable staff in critical functions to work from home.
Travel policy
In line with the World Health Organisation recommendations, there are no travel restrictions.
Events
At present, nothing suggests that this flu outbreak is likely to disrupt customer events, but we are conscious that the situation is evolving on a daily basis and we remain vigilant.
SWIFT is following the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Monitoring
SWIFT's Command Centre is monitoring the situation continuously and holding regular meetings at executive level.
SWIFT is confident that these measures will help mitigate the impact on its operations of a pandemic. SWIFT will inform all customers should the situation force it to implement its contingency plans.
