Resources for Non-Critical Businesses Winding Down Operations
March 24, 2020Currently, all non-critical businesses, anyone not on this list or identified as an essential supplier by an essential business, must halt in-person work until April 30 due to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives” order. For some businesses, this may only require making all operations remote. But for many businesses, this could mean halting operations until the order is lifted if remote work is not possible.
If your business needs to slow operations in the coming weeks or stop all work completely, there are resources to help you through this difficult time.
Designate Essential Staff
While work must be stopped or moved off-site at this time, businesses can designate essential staff necessary to run critical operations on-site like maintaining equipment and processing payroll and benefits.
Work Share and Temporary Leave
For businesses contemplating what a three-week or longer shutdown could mean for continuing operations afterward, difficult decisions may already be in the works. If your business has layoffs on the table, consider implementing work share or temporary leave initiatives instead.
Work share allows employers to continue operations through hard times without laying off staff. The state’s work share program helps prevent layoffs by instead giving eligible employees reduced hours per week, and benefits are based on the reduced number of hours.
Since the impact of COVID-19 is unpredictable, the state encourages businesses not to terminate employees, but to instead place them on temporary leave. These individuals will still be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Unemployment Insurance
This tool helps both workers and employers. Unemployment insurance benefits employers since experienced workers can stay in the area and return to work when businesses have the means to hire more workers. This also allows workers to spend more time looking for a job fit for their experience while continuing to support themselves.
Small Business Relief
Many small businesses were forced to cease operations due to the governor’s executive order. Small businesses remain essential to the strength of Michigan’s economy, which is why state and federal economic development forces are coming together to ensure the prosperity of these businesses.
Small businesses facing decreased cash flow should consider applying for disaster loan assistance and the Michigan Small Business Relief Program.
For questions on the governor’s executive order or state and federal business resources, please contact Brad Williams at bwilliam@detroitchamber.com.