Employers are being told to be creative in filling the staff absences expected because of Omicron.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says there will inevitably be some disruption to supply chains.

Auckland University supply chain expert David Robb told Tim Dower the first issue will be staffing because up to a quarter of our workforce could be off.

He says businesses should ask staff to do a bit more overtime or cancel some leave.

“Possibly outsourcing some services, maybe even abroad and calling in retired staff and students. Maybe a platform for sharing workers.”

Correction: David has since informed Newstalk ZB that his initial prediction of workforce at home of 0.5% to 25% (based on published government estimates of 1000 cases/day and worst case 50,000/day) were out by a factor of almost two. 

Based on a two-week period, the figures would be 0.3% and 15%.

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