News Article

Do Not Archive Your Business Continuity Plan … Update it!

Business continuity plans (BCPs) have been put under great strain by the Coronavirus.

Where a BCP considered a 'worst-case scenario', it is unlikely to have been a pandemic affecting global and national supply chains and the entire UK workforce. Since the introduction of social distancing, many businesses have adopted new modes of working but may have also archived their business continuity plan. There are good reasons why this is ill-advised.

Wherever your staff are working the duty of care that a business must show to its employees continues. Business owners must safeguard their workforce's health and safety and continue to carry out and review risk assessments, even if employees are working from a multitude of locations. It really isn't a case of out of sight, out of mind!

There is a legal background to this as well. Employees could, at some future point, claim an employer's lack of care led to an injury, physical or mental; claims relating to poor working practices could be successful.

It is recommended that you regularly review your BCP to make sure it is still fit for purpose, with 'continuity' measures considering employee welfare.
To get a much clearer picture of where you stand with your BCP we recommend you include us in your review.

And all steps taken in your BCP's review should be documented.

If you suspect a claim may occur, discuss this with your broker. Policies such as Management Liability, Errors and Omissions or Cyber Insurance often require that anticipated claims are notified during the period of insurance covered by the policy.

If you have any questions about your existing insurance protection or want to know how purchasing cover now could possibly protect you in the future, get in touch with us sooner rather than later. Even though the cover will not protect against events that have already occurred they could protect you and your business against future situations.

Disclaimer:
Each applicable policy of insurance must be reviewed to determine the extent, if any, of coverage for COVID-19. Coverage may vary depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances.

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