Detroit Regional Chamber > Human Resources COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses

Human Resources COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses

April 15, 2020
Sign up to receive updates from the Detroit Regional Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Resource Center


As the business climate continues rapidly changing due to COVID-19, human resources departments are essential in helping businesses and their employees navigate the crisis. The Detroit Regional Chamber has compiled relevant and timely HR guidance for businesses below.


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. Government relief measures may provide compensation for businesses and individuals in certain situations. In other cases, existing rules on employee rights will apply.

Paid leave may be required for some employees by federal or state law. Also, some state insurance regulators are requiring insurance carriers to provide policyholders with additional flexibility regarding premiums and coverage, and some carriers are making similar changes independent of state requirements.

This Compliance Overview provides a summary of the issues that employers may encounter when terminating or suspending employment due to COVID-19.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Information on FMLA, Emergency Sick Leave, and other new legislation that recently passed since COVID-19 took over can be overwhelming. The U.S. Department of Labor published guidance that explains paid sick leave, expanded family and medical leave, and more under the Families First Coronaviravirus Response Act

HR Works: COVID-19 Update on the FFCRA Part 1
We are pleased to publish the first of our weekly episodes of HR Works: COVID-19 Update. We will be publishing these shorter episodes every week with the goal of covering employment law issues surrounding COVID-19. In this episode we begin to cover details of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, or FFCRA for short.

Tips for Keeping Employee Data Secure
Most employers are already taking steps to ensure employee data are kept safe. Employees want assurance that their personal data are being secured. Here are a few tips for employers to help keep employee data safe.

Society of Human Resource Management Resource Center

Communicable diseases like COVID-19 can bring a busy workforce to a standstill. Visit the SHRM COVID-19 resource center for the latest news and updates, as well as critical resources. In addition, here is key information to help you to work your way through the pandemic:

How to mitigate compliance risk amid a crisis

As businesses are constantly faced with new challenges while the COVID-19 crisis develops, rules and regulations may seem temporarily relaxed. It’s important that businesses practice ethical behavior and not put themselves in further jeopardy with regulatory and compliance failures.

Strengthening company culture through uncertain times

Businesses are facing more roadblocks than ever. For many companies, things are on hold until the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives” order ends. The question of when social distancing will end is up in the air, leaving many employees unsure of their job security. In tough times, businesses must rely on their company culture to carry them through.

If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, here’s what to do

Everyone needs a plan to fall back on if and when an employee gets sick or tests positive for COVID-19. Find here the step-by-step guide on how your company should proceed if one of your employees tests positive for the coronavirus.

Resources for winding-down operations temporarily

Currently, 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.

How to rehire a furloughed employee

Furloughed employees agree to take an unpaid leave of absence in an effort to help their organizations cut costs temporarily. If you’re considering ending a furlough, here’s what you need to know.


Related:


Practicing wellness at home

As the spread of COVID-19 begins to affect day-to-day life, many are experiencing heightened feelings of stress, isolation, and fear. While there is no reason to panic, increased anxiety due to rapid changes is okay. It’s important to recognize if you or someone around you is dealing with these emotions and create a plan to help manage them.

Working from home dos and don’ts

For many business professionals, working from home is the new normal as the COVID-19 crisis unfolds. In these uncertain times, it’s important for workers to be able to adapt to new environments. If you are working from home for the first time, there’s no need to get discouraged.

Methods to help you stay productive while working remotely

Working remotely can be difficult for some, but there are ways to increase productivity and improve productivity levels overall.

Basics of web conferencing tools and tips

With working from home as the new normal, web conferencing has temporarily replaced traditional meetings. A virtual tool to meet face-to-face with others remotely, web conferencing can keep your meetings engaged and interactive while practicing social distancing.

Resources for individuals and families

It’s important to remain calm and prepared as the COVID-19 crisis unfolds. The Detroit Regional Chamber has cultivated resources to help individuals and families remain strong, happy, and healthy during this critical time.