Because a flu pandemic would be so disruptive to the economy, government officials are encouraging businesses to start their contingency planning now.

Regardless of what size your company is, a pandemic plan should take into account that a pandemic will be made up several ``waves,`` and that different coping strategies will have to be employed during and in between those waves, say experts.

In drafting your plan, some key questions to consider are: How can your company function if only 40% of your workforce is able to show up during an outbreak? If an outbreak hits one of your locations, can you shift operations to another? Can you operate if a majority of your workforce works from home? How can you modify your sick leave policy to discourage sick workers from coming in? What will you do if local or state government quarantines your area?
   
In the next few weeks, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hopes to present a more exhaustive list of recommendations for preparing your business, which can be found on the U.S. Government`s website, www.pandemicflu.gov.

In the meantime, the following is list of planning suggestions given by government officials, corporate contingency planners and executives at a recent summit of New England-based businesses on pandemic planning, sponsored in part by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the New England Council.

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