Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

[mixin]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

As a matter of fact, we are at the peak of Pandemic preparedness plans and BCP in Japanese companies. My company put up a pandemic HP
for employees just recently.

What are the employees reactions? Do they take the plans seriously or do they think like many here do... that pandemic talk is just talk?

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

What are the employees reactions? Do they take the plans seriously or do they think like many here do... that pandemic talk is just talk?

Employees are not well informed yet.
And providing information only isn't enough.
People don't really understand how serious a pandemic can be nor this
is their own problem rather than somebody else's or somewhere else's,
unless they have a face-to-face education class.


_____________________
SN1987A

 

[mixin]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Ah, not so different from here, then. It's sad, isn't it.

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Ah, not so different from here, then. It's sad, isn't it.

I have my colleagues and their families in several countries where a
pandemic is really a serious issue. We've been working together since
2006. And their expectations are my adrenaline.

Big problem has been a wide gap between us and Japanese operations.
We were frustrated all the time. But, the gap is narrowing these days.
How to address to employees in Japan will be a big challenge from now.


___________________
SN1987A

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

This is a chart showing that the pandemic flu is still a hot issue in Japan.




The chart shows average search traffic of ?新型インフルエンザ?, pandemic flu in
Japanese, as compared to the same of ?Pandemic flu?. (by Google Trends)

?Pandemic flu? hit the peak at the week of October 9, 2005 and has been in
decline since, while ?新型インフルエンザ? started to constantly show up only at
the end of 2007 and hit the peak at the week of November 16, 2008.
Then, Panasonic issued its repatriation order in December 2008.

Thank you, ?新型インフルエンザの達人?, for your great tip.


_______________________
SN1987A

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

That is an interesting graph, SuperNova1987A. It shows that prior to about January of 2008, Japanese interest in searching for information about a pandemic was below the number of English searches (world averages?). About January of 2008 it spiked up so that the frequency of searching in Japanese and English were about the same. About October of 2008, the searches in Japanese greatly exceed the English searches and peaked, as you note, about the time of the Panasonic repatriation order.

This clearly demonstrates that people do not take an interest in a possible calamity until it has the potential to directly threaten them or their immediate family and friends.

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Pandemic Flu - Concern Over Expatriate's Mental Health
Source: http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/body/090319/bdy0903192214003-n1.htm

Regarding Panasonic?s order to send expatriate families back to Japan as a
part of its pandemic flu measures, an expert expresses concern over mental
health of the expatriates left alone in foreign countries after their families?
return.

Snip

Dr. Yoshiaki Katsuta, a psychiatrist and professor of Kinki Health Welfare
University, expresses his concern: ?Working abroad involves many stress
factors which working in Japan doesn?t. If the families are forced to go back
Japan, it may cause more expatriates to suffer from mental problems such as
alcohol dependence and depression.?

Former medical officer working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Katsuta
examined many expatriates with mental problems in their overseas
assignments. He had an impression that expatriates without family had a
mental problem 20 to 30% more in number than those with family. The
patients of five most serious cases were all without family.

?I understand very well the importance of the pandemic flu preparedness.
However, companies also have to mind expatriates? mental health. At this
moment, companies should better let the families choose by themselves
whether or not to go back Japan.? Katsuta says.

Panasonic comments: ?The repatriation order is a measure for the safety of
the families. We would consider providing mental health care for the
employees without family.?.

NNA, membership site of Asian information, did a survey with Japanese
affiliated companies in China February, in which 15 companies or 10% of 151
companies responded that they were going to or had already have the
families go back Japan. NNA speculated several companies had followed
Panasonic?s decision.

Ms. Harue Okada, a researcher of the National Institute of Infectious
Diseases, suggests: ?We need to think differently about the risk management
in normal times and in emergency. Taking this opportunity, companies should
exchange views with expatriates and their families.?


*******************************************

Note: Dr. Katsuta?s pandemic flu blog at http://blog.goo.ne.jp/tabibito12.

From a family's point of view, living apart from husbands is a problem for
wives and children too, even in normal times.
Also, two-parent families would be able to withstand a pandemic better than
single-parent families because the possibility of both parents infected at the
same time is always lower than the average morbidity.
I therefore believe the ultimate choice should be with each family.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿
SN1987A

 

[tropical]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

The Panasonic workers on foreign soil stil could not simulate an ocean ship crew behaviour ...

They would have land based services and terestrial life quality.

Panasonic could consider a compensation bonus for the separate life issue.

The formulation "expatriate left alone" sound as they would be droped in some rain forest.

All of them could come back in their country at the same moment the health/security situation escalate.

That's why each country must have good communication/preparation plans for their citizens.

The foreign citizens business/work on countries soil in epidemic/pandemic frangents must be/is contempled from their corporations as an special option, which can be excluded, all depends on their agreements.

 

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

while the rest of the world was most concerned in 2005,2006 -
we heard almost nothing from Japan at that time.

Now, that everyone relaxes, Japan comes with increased measures.
Were there such measures in 2005,2006 ?

Why now ? Sorry, but to me this looks like the
main reasons are economical.

 

[tropical]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

while the rest of the world was most concerned in 2005,2006 -
we heard almost nothing from Japan at that time.

Now, that everyone relaxes, Japan comes with increased measures.
Were there such measures in 2005,2006 ?

Why now ? Sorry, but to me this looks like the
main reasons are economical.

I'm also start thinking that there are more about money and local real aconomy cripplings after the worldwide market gurus/... black hole, than about an real pandemic concern.

Or catching 2 flies at once maybe.

It could be useful looking at the corp./country assicuration policy to see if there is an actual signed clausule in auge about pandemics, or it is only an document insertion possibility.

 

[Commonground]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Mods may want to relocate this.

[Malaysia], "safety" of a bird wearing full anti-Japanese people, the few salvageable

[This is a very hard to understand translation]

April 13

Among Japanese companies, a world-wide pandemic, avian flu "pandemic" is spreading to prepare. According to the NNA survey of Japanese companies in Malaysia in the current, manual preparation and their masks, which measures such as drug preparation. However, the repatriation of expatriate families and because of the flu and the new minority. "I do not know what happens when" be honest with that, the situation is as drastic measures to踏MI込MENAI.

Panasonic last year and decided to salvage the family representative due to the new flu is a growing wariness in the other. Regarding the present, out of 39 respondents, a company "with a convenient business representative accompanied the family as a result of her", another one, "is preparing to ride back in family" answered.

In addition, in the form of multiple responses only "gathering information" (14) "Maintenance of a disinfectant, such as insurance and medical supplies" (11's) "own company (or parent company) have created a manual of measures" (9) was. "Thorough vaccination and expatriate families," the two companies, "do not have anything yet," nine.

"In bad condition when the doctor is encouraging a" quick "in preparation for a return ticket in the open always," "Preparation of cash immediately to arrange for a return trip ticket," was said.

■投GE出SENAI work
When the family returned, "If there is evidence that the rise-to-human infection (phase 4)," the 17 largest companies, "follow the recommendation of the Embassy of Japan," 12, "from one person The infection was confirmed to a very limited (Phase 3) "the two companies.

Own representative, "follow the recommendation of the Embassy of Japan" (17) the most, followed by "phase four" in the 13's. "The significant increase in the number of infections from person to person (Phase 5)" (4), "Phase 3" (2).

Japanese company executives said, "Even if a pandemic occurs, and into the service business of its customers, it would not stop the business entirely. And safety of employees, and spare you the trouble Two specific measures to determine the point of emphasis. "

How safe is Japan?

"Safe power" but they also question the呈SU Japan. Representative of a Japanese company, the expatriate's return date "only by one's will" on and I refused, "the assumption that Japan is the most dangerous." "Phase 4" and plans to return home, "is not compulsory. (In Malaysia) would secure the best retreat into condominiums."

 

[gsgs]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

one out of 39 is considering to follow Panasonic's example ?

 

[Commonground]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Regarding the present, out of 39 respondents, a company "with a convenient business representative accompanied the family as a result of her", another one, "is preparing to ride back in family" answered.

gsgs, I really couldn't say. It does not read very clearly.

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Hope the below will help your understanding.



Malaysia: Pandemic flu plan in progress, repatriation in the minority
April 13 8:30 NNA

Pandemic flu preparedness is in progress among Japanese affiliated companies in Malaysia. According to NNA’s survey, Japanese affiliated companies are promoting pandemic flu measures such as stockpiling masks and tamiflu. Repatriation of expatriate employees and their families is in the minority. Many feel uncable to step too far in the drastic measure as nobody knows when a flu pandemic will occur.

Panasonic’s decision to send expatriate families back home alarmed other companies. However, of 39 companies who responded to questions about the current measures, only one company responded they would finally send an expatriate with family back home also due to business reasons, and another company responded that they were preparing for the family’s return to Japan.

Other measures were. (multiple answers)
only information-gathering ……..14 companies
stockpiling antiseptices and medicines ……..11 companies
preparing action manuals of the company ……..9 companies
vaccination of expatriates and families ……..2 companies
(Note: should mean vaccination for seasonal flu)
no action taken……..9 companies
other answers:
encouraging employees to consult a doctor quickly when feeling not well
keeping ready a one-year open air ticket for a return to Japan
bringing enough cash to business trips to buy an air ticket for a return to Japan

Unable to leave the business behind
As for the timing of sending the family back to Japan, answers were:
when H2H infections are increasing (Phase 4) ……..17 companies
following Japanese embassy’s recommendation for repatriation ……..12 companies
very limited H2H infetion (Phase 3) ……..2 companies

Expatriates will return to Japan:
following Japanese embassy’s recommendation of repatriation ……..17 companies
when Phase 4 is declared……..13 companies
when H2Human infections are widely spreading (Phase 5) ……..4 companies
when H2H infetion are very limited (Phase 3) ……..2 companies

An executive of a Japanese affiliated company commented, “Even if a pandemic occurs, we cannot stop our activity completely because my company’s services are involved in our clients’ operations. Detailed measures will be decided considering both the employee’s safety and our clients’ needs.”

Is Japan safe?
Opinions doubting Japan’s safety are also heard. A person in charge in a Japanese affiliated company’s pointed, “I suspect Japan may be the most dangerous. While the company allows Japanese to go back to Japan on Phase 4, we never force them to return. Staying in the condominium in Malaysia may be the safest.”

__________________________
SN1987A

 

[tropical]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

#154:
"While the company allows Japanese to go back to Japan on Phase 4, we never force them to return. Staying in the condominium in Malaysia may be the safest.”"


If Malaysia than would realy allow that potentialy illnessed Jap./.../ citizens remains - additional separate corporation agreements with Malaysia of meds/food/health care/.../ of foreign citizens during an pandemic event (?)

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

#154:
"While the company allows Japanese to go back to Japan on Phase 4, we never force them to return. Staying in the condominium in Malaysia may be the safest.?"


If Malaysia than would realy allow that potentialy illnessed Jap./.../ citizens remains - additional separate corporation agreements with Malaysia of meds/food/health care/.../ of foreign citizens during an pandemic event (?)

Of cource, they need to stockpile tamiflu, food, everything.
Actually, Malaysia is not bad.
Very roughly speaking. I would generally evaluate Southeast Asian countries as follows. (depends also on which part of the country you are)

Singapore----Excellent. No need to leave.
Malaysia, Thailand----OK. You can stay if you like.
Philippines, Vietnam----You'd better leave.
Indonesia----You should leave asap. (even now)

__________________________
SN1987A

 

[tropical]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Of cource, they need to stockpile tamiflu, food, everything.
...
__________________________
SN1987A

So the bf option instead of economy only is stil on the table.

If they actualy (during this financial crise) starts to stockpiling all of the above for hipothetic pandemic waves stayings (3-6 months), is it stil all economy, or something changes in worst this time(?)

Such move to make particular sites with stores of everything in an colapsing JIT economy, seems contrary(?) to the proclamed state of the matter #154: "nobody knows when a flu pandemic will occur".
Such wide items depots weren't created previously in the past when the risk was believed to be higher(!?).

Maybe there would be not enaugh time to reimpatriate when some pandemic reveal itself, so it would be better leave them at the field.
Or this implements the corporations decision to continue working during an pandemic(?)

 

[SuperNova1987A]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

So the bf option instead of economy only is stil on the table.

If they actualy (during this financial crise) starts to stockpiling all of the above for hipothetic pandemic waves stayings (3-6 months), is it stil all economy, or something changes in worst this time(?)

First of all, ?Panasonic did it for economic reasons? is not my theory. Actually I don?t think so. Please refer to my previous posts, #76 and #108.
Secondly, the person making this statement belongs to a Japanese affiliated company but most probably not Panasonic.
Thirdly and generally speaking, he has to stockpile foods and daily supplies on his own expense. As for antivirals and PPE, his company may give him for free or at a discount price or only help him buy for himself. Because this is for him to stay in his condo during a pandemic. If this were for the workplace use, his company will pay.

Such move to make particular sites with stores of everything in an colapsing JIT economy, seems contrary(?) to the proclamed state of the matter #154: "nobody knows when a flu pandemic will occur".

I?m not sure what you mean by the word ?Just-in-time? in this contexte. But yes, if only we knew when a pandemic would occur in advance, we would be able to get a pandemic flu shot just in time.

Paraphrasing, ?Many people feel that they cannnot take such a drastic measure as sending their families back to Japan, because they don?t know when a flu pandemic will occur.? Otherwise, they are separated from their families, without knowing for how long.

Such wide items depots weren't created previously in the past when the risk was believed to be higher(!?).

Again believe or not, the pandemic flu is a very hot issue in corporate Japan. It wasn't hot two years ago when the rest of the world was hot.
Talking about the risk of a pandemic, was the risk really higher then than now? If candidate viruses are mutating to acquire more human virus attributes, and if a flu pandemic is not a question of "if" but "when", we are inching forward to a flu pandemic everyday. Then, why the risk was considered higher then and is considered lower now?

Maybe there would be not enaugh time to reimpatriate when some pandemic reveal itself, so it would be better leave them at the field.
Or this implements the corporations decision to continue working during an pandemic(?)

I think Panasonic ordered to send the expatriate families back home for the safety of the families in the first place. Another reason may be to make the expatriates focus on the Business Continuity Plan. I guess maybe Panasonic is involved in the supply chain of infrastrucure companies and medical institutions.



_________________________
SN1987A

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Thanks Supernova1987A.

I have started to read the Japanese newspapers with the help of a machine translator and from that vantage point it appears that "pandemic" is a hot topic similar to 2006 in the U.S.

It does make logical sense to increase awareness as the threat becomes more likely. The question is how much of the "pandemic talk", awareness campaigns, vaccine actions, corporate activity, etc. is a result of good planning and preparation for an eventuality, and how much is due some insight of the evolution of the pandemic.

For instance, does Japan's proximity to China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asia countries who have a history of bird flu infections give Japan some special knowledge that is not in presented in the media in 2009?

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Panasonic Says Bringing Workers Families Home Due to Pandemic Fears - Discussion, Economic Considerations, Other Companies Pan/Flu Plans

Thanks Supernova1987A.

I have started to read the Japanese newspapers with the help of a machine translator and from that vantage point it appears that "pandemic" is a hot topic similar to 2006 in the U.S.

It does make logical sense to increase awareness as the threat becomes more likely. The question is how much of the "pandemic talk", awareness campaigns, vaccine actions, corporate activity, etc. is a result of good planning and preparation for an eventuality, and how much is due some insight of the evolution of the pandemic.

For instance, does Japan's proximity to China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asia countries who have a history of bird flu infections give Japan some special knowledge that is not in presented in the media in 2009?

The Armageddon is coming...

I am surprised again for the tone of these commentaries.

Because:

1) Viruses in Vietnam, China and Egypt belong to different lineages;
2) A virus with pandemic characteristic isn't spreading around the world;
3) We shoud admit that more than one pandemic strain could emerge simultaneously in different part of the world, sparking different pandemics;
4) Different lineages with different antigenic and genetic properties could results in different outcomes...

So, if pandemic would start in Egypt we should also consider another pandemic could start somewhere else in Asia...