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SMEs are ill-prepared to cope with absenteeism

Nearly three quarters of entrepreneurs (73%) are ill-equipped to deal with large numbers of sickness among staff, despite the widely anticipated increase of swine flu cases at the start of autumn, according to research from Tenon, business advisers to entrepreneurs.

Half of these small business owners (52%) have absolutely no measures in place for coping with staff absences resulting from swine flu while a fifth (21%) are currently working on a plan.

Of the 27% of entrepreneurs who do have measures in position to ensure the continued smooth running of their business, regardless of staff absences:

* 68% have a system in place where staff can work from home

* 20% have a recruitment/outsourcing company on standby so key operations can continue

* 8% plan to close the entire office if more than a set percentage of staff are absent

Entrepreneurs in Scotland are the most likely to shut up shop and close the entire office (20%) compared to the rest of the UK. Small firms in the Midlands and Scotland are most likely to have an outsourcing company on standby (27%). In the South, 73% have a system in place where staff can work from home.