Disasters are rare events with major consequences; yet comparatively little is known about managing employee needs in disaster situations. Based on case studies of four organisations following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 - 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand, this paper presents a framework using redefined notions of employee needs and expectations, and charting the ways in which these influence organisational recovery and performance. Analysis of in-depth interview data from 47 respondents in four organisations highlighted the evolving nature of employee needs and the crucial role of middle management leadership in mitigating the effects of disasters. The findings have counterintuitive implications for human resource functions in a disaster, suggesting that organisational justice forms a central framework for managing organisational responses to support and engage employees for promoting business recovery.
Two projects are documented within this MEM Report: I. The first project examined what was learnt involving the critical infrastructure in the aftermath of natural disasters in the Canterbury region of New Zealand – the most prominent being the series of earthquakes between 2010 and 2011. The project identified several learning gaps, leading to recommendations for further investigations that could add significant value for the lifeline infrastructure community. II. Following the Lifeline Lesson Learnt Project, the Disaster Mitigation Guideline series was initiated with two booklets, one on Emergency Potable Water and a second on Emergency Sanitation. The key message from both projects is that we can and must learn from disasters. The projects described are part of the emergency management, and critical infrastructure learning cycles – presenting knowledge captured by others in a digestible format, enabling the lessons to be reapplied. Without these kinds of projects, there will be fewer opportunities to learn from other’s successes and failures when it comes to preparing for natural disasters.
Transcript of Tom's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Transcript of Bernie's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Insurance is widely acknowledged as a key component in an organisation's disaster preparedness and resilience. But how effective is insurance in aiding business recovery following a major disaster? The aim of this research was to summarise the experiences of both the insurance industry and businesses dealing with commercial insurance claims following the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
Transcript of Pat Penrose's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Disasters are rare events with major consequences; yet comparatively little is known about managing employee needs in disaster situations. Based on case studies of four organisations following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 - 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand, this paper presents a framework using redefined notions of employee needs and expectations, and charting the ways in which these influence organisational recovery and performance. Analysis of in-depth interview data from 47 respondents in four organisations highlighted the evolving nature of employee needs and the crucial role of middle management leadership in mitigating the effects of disasters. The findings have counterintuitive implications for human resource functions in a disaster, suggesting that organisational justice forms a central framework for managing organisational responses to support and engage employees for promoting business recovery.
Transcript of Lavina's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Transcript of Fiona Robertson's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 14 June 2013
Transcript of Rodger C G Curragh's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
The "Lyttelton Harbour Review" newsletter for 24 June 2013, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
Transcript of John's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
The "Lyttelton Harbour Review" newsletter for 29 July 2013, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
The "Lyttelton Harbour Review" newsletter for 5 August 2013, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
Transcript of Stephen Bourke's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 7 August 2013 entitled, "Fractured Fame".
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 19 July 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 1 November 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 5 July 2013
The "Lyttelton Harbour Review" newsletter for 22 July 2013, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 25 October 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 31 October 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 13 September 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 21 November 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 18 January 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 7 June 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 30 August 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 9 August 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 26 April 2013