【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[解析] 23-30
Man: As each day goes by, the swine-flu outbreak spreads more. Beginning in Mexico, it now has infected 985 people in 20 countries. In Mexico, the outbreak has caused the government to shut down all schools and many businesses. Meanwhile in the United States, more than 300 schools have been closed and businesses—especially those with a global reach—are monitoring the situation closely. My guest today is Susan Boyle, Vice President of Brits Got Talent Company. She is here to talk about how HR departments at the U.S. cope with this pandemic. Hello Susan.
Woman: Hello, Simon. It's great to be here.
Man: First. Let's start with a U.S. company in Mexico. How did swine-flu affect this company and what initiative did it take?
Woman: Dimension Data, an IT company based in New York, has 40 full-time and contract workers in its Mexico City office. Although none became ill, the company" instituted some changes—such as allowing employees to work at home and strongly encouraging workers to conduct meetings through video or telephone, rather than face-to-face.
Man: In the United States, the number of infected patients has been steadily climbing, and experts agree that HR departments should prepare for a large-scale pandemic. So, while panic may not be required, caution and preparation remain important. Which role does HR play in this situation?
Woman: If the swine-flu situation worsens, HR would have a big job—creating policies that will help ensure the safety of employees as well as making arrangements for large numbers of absent employees.
Man: In the case of Dimension Data, what edge does the company posses in dealing with such scenario?
Woman: The company's corporate culture—in which telecommuting is common—helped make the change easy on the employees.
Man: I heard there is more to Dimension Data's culture, something more valuable than telecommunication.
Woman: There is. The company instructs its employees that their health and safety is priority. As an organization, it's very important that people come first.
Man: What is a company going to do if 30, 40 or 50 percent of its workforce is out?
Woman: Businesses make plans to let employees work at home and utilize those who are cross-trained in jobs.
Man: In a 2007 survey of 317 HR executives by Amsterdam-based consultancy, just one-quarter of businesses reported having a plan in place if an unusually high percentage of the workforce became ill. Susan, what do you think of it?
Woman: Lack of continuity planning can result in failures as employers attempt to address the challenges of a pandemic with insufficient resources and employees might not be adequately trained in the jobs that they will be asked to perform.
Man: Sounds like a mess. What can companies do during a swine-flu outbreak?
Woman: To prepare for an outbreak, I recommend that companies take these steps.
Man: Listen it up, folks!
Woman: Firstly, identify an outbreak coordinator or team with defined roles and responsibilities for preparation and response planning. Secondly, identify key employees and key work processes required to maintain business operations during a pandemic. Thirdly, establish, or review, an emergency communications plan. Fourthly, seek up-to-date information from local and state health and emergency management resources; and lastly, remind employees to make a habit of washing their hands often.
Man: What's your view on "hero employees," who continue to work while they are sick—especially the managers?
Woman: Businesses need to discourage the hero employees to work. When employees see their supervisors coming in sick, they're convinced that's what's expected of them also.
Man: According to Donald C. Dowling, international employment counsel at White & Case in New York, a potential pandemic also comes with serious legal questions for multinational companies.
Woman: Right. A company with operations in Europe, for example, is restricted from asking its employees to disclose if anyone in their family contracted the swine-flu. A safety policy forcing all employees to wash their hands three times a day or wear masks would be acceptable at American companies.
Man: And outside of the United States?
Woman: Well, in other countries, the employer would first have to consult with its health-and-safety committee before making such a policy. In the U.S., well-intentioned companies hoping to look out for their employees' health could unintentionally incur liability if they distribute medicine.
Man: And the troubles don't end there, huh?
Woman: No. Companies could also run afoul of the law if health records are improperly shared or flu-infected workers allege discrimination.
Man: Susan Boyle, thank you.
Woman: Thank you, Mr. Cowell.