Press Release for Avian Flu

The executive staff at Southwestern Energy Matrix has developed a plan for employees and the company if a pandemic event should occur. The company and its employees need to know exactly what needs to happen in order for the company to ensure business continuity. Employee relations and safety professionals from the company will be discussing the plan face-to-face at the monthly meetings with employees to discuss pandemic and emergency planning.

"We think it's important to meet with employees face-to-face," said Human Resource Director Susan L. Liot, "and we'll be asking all employees to register for direct deposit of paychecks at this time. We'll be providing information about the company's plans for working through a pandemic or other long-term emergency scenario."

The company and the executive staff have worked for six months to develop the first phase for the possible pandemic for how the company will continue to run. This plan includes which specific employees need to continue to work, how and where they will work if the building is closed, and how all the employees will continue to get paid. The specific items for phase one is included on the following fact sheet.

"Our company has a tradition of working courageously in emergency situations," said Thomas Winkler, SEM president and CEO. "Of course, it is our hope that we never need to enact this pandemic plan, but the first phase of planning is complete, and we now need to listen to employee concerns and questions about the plan."