As the recent outbreak of coronavirus makes clear, contingency and continuity planning is key for all warehousing companies. In the coming weeks and months, maintaining operational capacity in warehouses will require significant logistical adjustments and planning. As you prepare your workforce and business plans for COVID-19, HapiGig could be essential to planning for these variations.
As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, statewide quarantine orders and employee call-outs will become increasingly common. For logistics companies, planning for this eventuality must center around three fundamental considerations: streamlining your supply chain, adjusting to short-term losses, and preparing for long-term knock-on effects.
While this pandemic seems to be on the downswing in China — the source of many early effects on international supply chains — it seems to be increasing exponentially in scope here in the U.S. With this in mind, warehouses should ensure their contingency plan includes stocking up on key materials, components, and backup equipment as much as feasible, as deliveries could still be stunted for months to come.
Furthermore, many economists are predicting a recession before the end of 2020, meaning short-term financial losses are also likely. The exact measures required to protect and preserve liquidity will vary for different companies, but virtually every logistical planner in the warehousing industry should expect their financial situation to be impacted to some degree or another — which should also be factored into continuity planning.
However, the biggest logistical problem coronavirus may cause is a human one—namely, a lack of an available, high-quality, and on-demand workforce. Even if supply chains remain active and the economy recovers quickly, call-outs and PTO from sick and/or quarantined warehouse workers may leave warehouses without the physical means to continue normal operations. This issue needs to be of central consideration in any contingency plan that is crafted. It’s also an issue that HapiGig is tailor-made to address—and to do so in a way that fits the unique needs of each individual user.
Comprehensive continuity planning in the warehousing industry requires knowing what to do in the event of full-blown labor shortage. Given the current situation worldwide, the solution in both the short and long terms is likely going to be dependable and on-demand flex labor. To that end, HapiGig’s high-quality workforce is available for any warehouse looking for a flex workforce to meet their continuity plans.
In a nutshell, HapiGig works more or less like Uber, but for warehouse workers—after a thorough vetting process, workers accepted onto HapiGig’a platform can share their previous experience and update their availability for employers in need of temporary labor. Once a HapiGig worker completes an assignment, their employer can rate them within the service to ensure that only high-quality labor continues to be facilitated by our platform.
Accounting for flex labor is going to be a crucial aspect of contingency planning for coronavirus in the coming days, weeks, and months. Do not let your business fall behind—bolster your continuity planning today and schedule a call about the cost-saving and organizational benefits HapiGig could offer you.