As employees worry about a swine flu outbreak, companies wonder how they can help people stay safe while keeping the business running. IT can help.

One solution experts recommend: Get employees ready as possible to work from home (or at least as many as possible).

Companies with a  solid telecommuting plan are a step ahead in handling swine flu and other disease outbreaks, says Chuck Wilsker, president and CEO of The Telework Coalition in Washington, D.C.

The benefit is two-fold. First, the best way to keep contagious diseases out of the workplace is for sick employees to stay home. But many employees are reluctant to miss work, especially in a time when jobs are disappearing.

Also, managers of short-handed departments may look down on employees who take several days off. Having telecommuting capabilities in place makes sure sick employees can work without putting others in danger.

Companies also need to consider cases where an outbreak forces offices to close, says Wilsker. Letting employees work remotely will ensure that at least some business is being done.

HR should work closely with IT to develop a plan. You may need to:

• Take a survey to find out who’s already equipped to work at home. Most importantly, ask what type of computer, software and Internet connection they have.
• Provide access to important documents and data through a password-protected Web page or a virtual private network (VPN).
• Help remote employees communicate with each other, for example by providing a directory of e-mail addresses or getting workers set up with instant messaging software.

More news and information about swine flu is available from the Center for Disease Control.

Tags: disaster, swine flu, telecommuting