A few months back, I posted a question regarding the necessity of having electric company employees onsite/on call during the 1999 to 2000 rollover. Today, I found a great suggestion for at least partially dealing with the familial stresses that may be caused by such a requirement. This is from the American Water Works Association website:

One leader suggested utilities host a "First Night" celebration at their facilities for employees and families. This would ensure you have a plentiful supply of sober employees to meet the emergency at midnight on New Years Eve.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 1999

Answers

Too bad they took the 'worst case scenario' page off their site. I was really looking forward to reading that.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 1999

Oxychem, a major chemical multinational with 40 facilities, has a contingency plan -- not sure it is public -- that anticipates the problem that employees necessary to keep their plants running (or to conduct some number of plant startup/shutdowns -- the most dangerous phases of any hazardous facility -- due to fluctuating supply of power, telecom, fuel, raw materials, etc.) might be torn by the pull of duties at home where there may be extended power and telecom outages, food shortages, etc. So there is some thought -- no doubt in many similar companies -- to providing on-site or near-site housing for the families of such critical employees, with backup generators, food, lanterns, etc..... Anyone else found evidence of such contingency planning??? Fred

-- Anonymous, February 06, 1999