Scenario 3: A pandemic flu hits

Segment 1: A pandemic flu starts sickening and killing people in Hong Kong, where the company does not have any operations. The medical community fears that the disease will spread to other continents and says that anyone who has been to Hong Kong in the past three weeks could be a carrier. As a precautionary measure, the company considers asking employees who have traveled to Hong Kong within the past three weeks not return to work until they see a doctor. The company also considers having security at the front door ask every visitor whether he or she has been to Hong Kong in the past three weeks.

Segment 2: A few people in the region are diagnosed with the disease, and the absentee rate at schools rises. Employees start calling in sick, but it's not clear whether they are ill or afraid of going out in public. Enough people are absent that the company struggles to keep systems up, take orders and pay bills.

Segment 3: The disease spreads, and absentee rates shoot up to almost 50 percent. Some employees are sick or caring for sick family members. Employees are asking the company to provide for vaccinations and masks, even though the medical community says those precautions may not be effective. Critical functions are not getting done. Managers consider letting crucial staff volunteer for a lockdown-those who volunteer would receive vaccinations but then not be able to leave the building until the danger passes. They also consider rerouting work to another location or calling in retired workers to help out.

Segment 4: The disease has peaked, but many employees are still leery of returning to work.