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:
CDC Materials
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued:
- 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.
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
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 a website that explains how the Family and Medical Leave Act applies in cases of COVID-19 and other public health emergencies. Fact Sheet #70 provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding furloughs and other reductions in pay or hours worked.
EEOC Materials
While not specifically related to COVID-19, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has previously issued guidance entitled Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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
- Additional Resources
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 (COVID-19). Also see Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources.
Our vendor partner ThinkHR has also provided the following employer resources:
- Acknowledgment of Receipt for Company-Issued Property
- COVID-19 FAQ
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Furlough Letter (COVID-19)
- Sample Communication to Employees
- Sample Telecommuting Agreement
- Sample Work from Home Policy
- State Resources
- Telecommuting Checklist
- ThinkHR Blog: When Business Threats are Contagious
- Tips to Handle an Infectious Disease Outbreak
- Work from Home Agreement
Princeton HR group clients can also call ThinkHR at 877-225-1101 or login here: ThinkHR for live guidance and resources.
Please check this post frequently for updates.