For our clients and the curious here is a great resource guide as you seek to build out your own programs and responses to the COVID 19 pandemic. We have been fielding a great many calls from companies looking to get ahead of this issue. We thought we would aggregate the information that is the most beneficial for valued stakeholders. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an emerging challenge across the world for employers. We’ve gathered some materials to help you stay on top of employee concerns. Check here frequently for updates.
CDC Materials
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued:
- CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease, which provides recommended workplace strategies for employers and guidance on how to decrease COVID-19 spread, information on how to respond to outbreaks, and additional resources; and
- Public Health Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak, which provides a chronological timeline and summary of the virus, cases reported in the United States, and the agency’s public health response to the illness.
- Small Business Guide – Preparing your small business and your employees for the effects of Covid-19
- Interim Guidance For Employers With Workers At High Risk
The CDC has also created the following posters for download:
- What you need to know (English, Spanish, Chinese)
- What to do if you are sick (English, Spanish, Chinese)
- Stop the spread of germs (English, Spanish, Chinese)
- Symptoms of coronavirus (English, Spanish)
- President’s Coronavirus Guidance: 15 Days to Slow the Spread
- Workplace, School and Home Guidance
- See all CDC print resources
Keep up to date on CDC guidance for specific industries, latest updates, and resources on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) main page.
DOL Materials
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has created a resource page for workers and employers. The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division has posted these posters and guidance:
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
- Required poster: Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice – Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 and the American Workplace
- Fact Sheet #70: Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Furloughs and Other Reductions in Pay and Hours Worked Issues
- COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers
- COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers
EEOC Materials
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has created a landing page entitled What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19, which provides links to resources and guidance.
HHS Materials
In response to COVID-19, the Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a bulletin regarding HIPAA Privacy and COVID-19.
OSHA Materials
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created a COVID-19 website for workers and employers that addresses the disease and provides guidance and other resources for preventing exposure to and infection with the virus.
Topics covered include:
- Background
- Hazard Recognition
- Medical Information
- Standards
- Control and Prevention
- Worker Exposure Chart
- Additional Resources
OSHA has also issued the publication Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.
NCCI Materials
Covid-19 and Workers’ Compensation: What You Need To Know
Small Business Administration Materials
The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued guidance entitled SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus, explaining how the SBA is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus. Also see Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources.
ThinkHR Materials
- COVID-19 FAQ
- COVID-19 HR Best Practices and Guidance Webinar
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Sample Emergency Family and Medical Leave Policy (FFCRA FMLA Expansion)
- Sample Emergency Paid Sick Leave Policy (FFCRA Paid Sick Leave)
- State Resources
- New York COVID-19 Related Leave Page
- Sample Communication to Employees
- Sample Essential Business Letter (COVID-19)
- Furlough Letter (COVID-19)
- Sample Telecommuting Agreement
- Work from Home Agreement
- Telecommuting Checklist
- Sample Work from Home Policy
- Acknowledgment of Receipt for Company-Issued Property
- ThinkHR Blog: When Business Threats are Contagious
New York State Guidelines
Department of Health
- Guidance on Essential Services
- New York State on Pause
- Protect yourself and stop the spread of germs: English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian, Korean, Russian
Department of Labor
- Unemployment Insurance (seven-day waiting period waived for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due pandemic closures or quarantines)
- Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification
