Emergency Planning for Employees
Two-way communication is central before, during, and after a workplace emergency. According to Ready.gov's Ready Business program, every organization should have a crisis communications plan detailing how it will reach employees, local authorities, and other stakeholders during and after an incident.
Ways to Reach Employees
- Include emergency preparedness information in newsletters, the company intranet, and regular internal communications.
- Set up a telephone calling tree or a password-protected page on the company site.
- Use an email or text alert system, or a call-in voice recording employees can check.
- Designate an out-of-area contact number employees can call or text an "I'm okay" message to if local lines are down.
Before an Incident
- Compile employee contact information in advance — name, phone, cell, and emergency contact — and keep it accessible outside normal systems in case of an outage.
- Identify who is responsible for communicating with employees during and after an emergency.
- Train employees on the plan and practice it, the same way you'd practice a fire drill.
Build the Rest of the Plan
Communication is one piece of a full emergency action plan. See Ready.gov's Emergency Plans guidance for building out response, evacuation, and continuity plans.
Equip Your Team
Pair your communication plan with workplace emergency kits so employees have supplies on hand, not just instructions.
