COVID-19 Employer Resources

COVID-19 Employer Resouces

We're Here to Help

We're here to help you and your employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Below are resources from Clarke and Company and your insurance carriers, as well as the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As always, if you have any questions or if there is anything you need, please reach out to us.

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Do you think you have COVID-19?

Start by calling your primary care physician, or go online for a free virtual visit with several health systems.

Latest Updates

Click the link below to view a recording of our April 1, 2020 webinar discussing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). 

In the latest development, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, which is a bill that provides borrowers with greater flexibility in spending PPP funds without compromising forgiveness eligibility.

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Workplace Decision Tree and Employee Welcome Back Packet

The purpose of this tool is to assist employers in making (re)opening decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Employee Welcome Back Packet provides information on new protocols and changes to the office.

The SBA recently released two additional final interim rules to provide further guidance for PPP loan borrowers and lenders. Specifically, the two rules provide guidance for loan review procedures, loan forgiveness, and borrower and lender responsibilities.

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Return to Work Information

CDC Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting

This guide offers instructions on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools and homes. Guidance from state, tribal, local, and territorial authorities should be followed as well.

How to Plan For A Return To Work

By updating office layouts, encouraging new behaviors and expanding remote work options, employers can help prevent the spread of future diseases, and protect the health and safety of employees.

Creating A Return To Work Action Plan

HHS and the CDC have developed the following checklist for large businesses. It identifies important, specific activities large businesses can do now to prepare, many of which will also help you in other emergencies.

Sample Return To Work Action Plan: Design 1

This sample return to work action plan serves as an example for businesses to use as a template when preparing their own plan. It does not account for state, local, or industry-specific guidance, but follows guidance from the CDC and OSHA.

Sample Return To Work Action Plan: Design 2

This sample return to work action plan serves as an example for businesses to use as a template when preparing their own plan. It does not account for state, local, or industry-specific guidance, but follows guidance from the CDC and OSHA.

Leave Information

COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Available

Click below to view a table with potential COVID-19 related employee scenarios and the applicable benefits available through the FMLA, and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act emergency FMLA expansion and emergency paid sick leave sections.

Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act – Leave Request Form

Click above to view the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act Leave Request Form. Updated reasons for taking leave include being advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19, caring for an individual subject to a quarantine or isolation order, and more.

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act – Leave Request Form

Click above to view the Emergency FMLA Expansion Act Leave Request Form. Updated reasons for taking leave include taking care of a spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition, including COVID-19, caring for a child whose school has been closed due to COVID-19, and more.

Relaxed Enforcement Expected as Coronavirus Paid Leave Law Becomes Effective

The U.S. DOL has directed its field staff to observe a temporary nonenforcement period for the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Sample Emergency Family and Medical Leave Policy

View this sample notice related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency family and medical leave is available to all employees that have been employed by the Company for at least 30 calendar days.

Sample Emergency Paid Sick Leave Policy

View this sample notice related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy provides eligible employees with emergency paid sick leave under certain conditions. All employees are eligible for emergency paid sick leave.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Rights Poster

The FFCRA requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from 4/1/2020-12/31/2020.

IRS Issues Guidance on Tax Credits for Coronavirus Paid Leave

Small and midsize employers may begin using two new refundable payroll tax credits to obtain reimbursement for the costs of providing coronavirus-related leave to their employees, the U.S. DOL and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on March 20, 2020.

DOL Outlines Coronavirus Relief Law’s Paid Leave Requirements

On March 24, 2020, the U.S. DOL's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued guidance explaining the paid leave requirements under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

New Coronavirus Relief Laws Require Paid Employee Leave

As part of sweeping legislation signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020, two laws were enacted that provide workers with paid leave for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOL Issues Guidance on COVID-19 and the FMLA

If you or your employees are out sick or are caring for ill family members, check with the DOL for information on whether such leave is covered under the FMLA. Under the FMLA, covered employers must provide employees job-protected, unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law on March 18, 2020. Key elements for employers: FMLA expansion, paid sick leave, payroll tax credit, and group health plan benefit mandate.

Loan Information

What To Do After Receiving a PPP Loan

If your business secured a PPP loan, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. This article provides a general overview of PPP loans and what employers should do if they receive an approved PPP loan.

Loan Forgiveness Application

This article provides a general overview of the Application and information about loan forgiveness eligibility under the PPP. For more information about your organization’s loan, please contact your lender.

Employees Refusing To Return To Work

As long as businesses “make a good faith” effort to rehire employees—and explain that they may lose their unemployment eligibility by not returning—the businesses would not face a penalty under that portion of the loan.

Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Emergency Loans Small Business Guide

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic.

Congress Passes $484 Billion Coronavirus Relief Package

On Thursday, April 23, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed a coronavirus aid bill, which includes funding for small businesses, hospitals and coronavirus testing.

Coronavirus - Small Business Guidance & Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) is working with state governors to provide low interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by COVID-19.

CARES Act – Small Business Loan Overview

Among other provisions, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provides businesses suffering under the debilitating effects of the pandemic with unprecedented access to emergency loans.

Understanding the Historic $2 Trillion Stimulus Package

The $2 trillion stimulus package is the largest economic stimulus measure in modern history. The bill is a $2 trillion combination of tax provisions and other stimulus measures, including emergency business lending.

Benefit and Compliance Information

HSA Eligibile Expenses Expanded

The CARES Act repeals the Medicine Cabinet Tax provision of the Affordable Care Act, expanding the list of qualifying expenses that can be purchased with health savings accounts.

FSA Eligibile Expenses Expanded

The CARES Act repeals the Medicine Cabinet Tax provision of the Affordable Care Act, expanding the list of qualifying expenses that can be purchased with flexible spending accounts.

Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA

Read more on how employers should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act while also observing all applicable emergency workplace safety guidelines during the pandemic.

Dependent Care Change Information

There are several qualifying events that may allow you to change your dependent care deductions including loss of eligibility and change in employment status.

FSA Updates

The CARES Act contains a provision allowing reimbursement of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines without a prescription for these plans.

CARES Act Makes Changes for Health Plans

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provides $2.2 trillion in federal funding to address the COVID-19 crisis. The CARES Act makes a variety of changes affecting health plans.

Employee Compensation and Benefits During Closures and Furloughs

As business closures increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are faced with questions about compensation and health benefit coverage for their employees.

COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act

In light of the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, the DOL has published answers to frequently asked questions on how employers can stay in compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which regulates wage and hour conditions for employees.

General Resources for Your Business

CDC Coronavirus Guide for Employers

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The CDC will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.

Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist

HHS and the CDC have developed the following checklist for large businesses. It identifies important, specific activities large businesses can do now to prepare, many of which will also help you in other emergencies.

Coronavirus and the Workplace: Compliance

Employers are obligated to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for their employees, but are also subject to a number of legal requirements protecting workers. Read this summary of compliance issues facing employers.

No Gatherings of 10 People or More

President Donald Trump announced that Americans avoid gatherings of 10 or more people and avoid seating at bars and restaurants to stem the spread of COVID-19.

What To Do If You're Sick With COVID-19

If you suspect that you’re sick with COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

Coronaviruses in the Workplace: Overview

Employee education is one of the best lines of defense for a workplace. General preventive health practices, like washing hands, can safeguard workers even when they’re at home.

Engaging Remote Employees During the Coronavirus Pandemic

For some employees, this may be the first time they’ve telecommuted. This working arrangement may seem exciting at first, but it can lose its luster over time, resulting in disengaged employees.

Remote Work During COVID-19 Outbreak

For many, working from home is just the daily routine. For people unfamiliar with remote work, it can take some getting used to.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility

Click below for information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on cleaning and disinfecting your facility. Tips include cleaning and disinfecting high touch areas, soft surfaces, and electronics.

COVID-19 Employer FAQ

This list of FAQ's was curated from over 2,000 questions submitted to ThinkHR and Mammoth. Questions cover topics including the FFCRA and other applicable leaves, health and safety, making working from home work, and furloughs and layoffs.

HIPAA Privacy Rules and the Coronavirus Outbreak

HHS issued a bulletin to remind covered entities and their business associates that the HIPAA Privacy Rule’s protections still apply during a public health emergency, such as the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act—Questions and Answers

As part of sweeping legislation—the Families First Coronavirus Response Act—signed into law by President Trump on March 18th, two laws were enacted that provide workers with paid leave for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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