Good emergency and disaster preparedness will save lives, protect resources, and get employees back to work quickly. Emergencies may cause work stoppage, layoffs, greater absenteeism, extended leave, and related compensation issues. Some employees may be required to relocate and others to work from home during emergency operations. Federal and state laws, regulations, and court decisions may affect an organization's decisions. Emergency planning helps ensure that employees are trained and equipped to respond immediately and correctly in an emergency and that the company complies with federal and state laws where applicable.

There are many personnel, safety, and public health laws to consider when preparing for and handling emergencies. For example, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers to provide time off for employees to care for themselves or family members after a disaster. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act requires employers to ensure that employees know what to do in an emergency and how to evacuate the workplace if disaster strikes.