Wild weather seems to be dominating the news headlines more often lately. And natural disasters are no longer a seasonal event or problem for a particular part of theUnited States. Epic hurricanes are hitting the East Coast, tornados are tearing through the Mid-west, storms are slashing the South, and wildfires are whipping on the West Coast. Nature's wrath seems to be a year-round risk that keeps our entire country on edge.

Recent research by The Hartford found many small business owners are protecting their property in advance of catastrophes, but few are protecting one of their most crucial assets — their employees.

"The Hartford Small Business Pulse: Storm Sandy," a March 2013 survey of impacted New York, New Jersey and Connecticut small business owners, found many prepared for the massive storm by protecting their buildings, business programs, critical data, and vital records. But less than half (47 percent) of impacted small business owners cited employee issues as a challenge during or after Storm Sandy.