Geared Up Issue 4 2017 | Page 38

Disaster Continued from page 35 PF Houston Uses Four-Phase Plan When Dealing With Disasters Picking up the Pieces During and after a storm, there is plenty a franchise group can do to help the community overcome any tragedies and get back to normal. For most franchisees, this starts with taking care of their own. Before a club can be staffed and open to aid the public, employees must first be safe and able to work. “The most difficult challenge after the storm is staffing the clubs where employees have been displaced,” said Sanders. “In the future and with adequate notice, we may move key employees and their families to safer ground.” Not only will this help keep employees out of harm’s way, it also mitigates loss of communication throughout the storm. “It’s all about getting back to normal, and the gym can provide that escape.” PF Houston has seen its share of unwelcomed weather events. Over time, the company has put together a four-phase plan centered on establishing a communica- tion pipeline with employees, members and key vendors. Prepare – Physically secure the clubs, give employees adequate time to get home, and notify members. Assess – Periodically account for employees’ well- being, and safely assess the damage to the facilities. Relief – Provide assistance to employees and members. Recovery – Open the club as soon as reasonably possible, repair damage, and file insurance claims as necessary. – Joseph Pilotte operations manager for Anchor Management Group 36 “Following Hurricane Matthew, we realized the importance of truly helping our staff members during these scenarios. Most of our staff members are not very well off financially and don’t necessarily have the funds to purchase gas for an evacuation or a hotel, should the need for them to leave town arise,” said Pilotte. “Also, missing work even for a couple of days is a giant hit to their quality of life. As a company, for both Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Irma, our owner, Alex Choquette, gave us the go-ahead to maintain all staff pay just as if they were working. We also provided services to them such as helping them find a place to evacuate to, book hotels or reserve an Airbnb.” Sunshine Fitness Management and PF Houston also make efforts to compensate employees for lost shifts during a disaster. The recently created PFIFA Disaster Relief Fund can help fund employee recovery efforts, and Anchor Management notes that its payroll vendor, Paychex, also has an employee assistance program. “Having these options for employees is a critical part of our procedures. Once we are up and running, the care for the commu- nity aspect kicks in. We open up to anyone in need of a hot shower and offer a Hydromassage to our members to help them get back to nor