As we begin to enter month 5 of COVID work-place implications, we thought it would be helpful to pass along some new info and guidance that has been published and curated.

If you watch any national news, there is extraordinary dialogue taking place about re-opening schools. From everything we are seeing, there is a very strong likelihood that some states will not re-open for in-person instruction as normal. Some large cities, LA and San Diego for example, will only be conducting online school. In Michigan, we most likely will see plans for virtual, in-person and hybrid instruction. As a result, you can anticipate working parents who are going to be unable to work onsite as normal due to their school-age child being home. That includes high school students. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is still in effect until December 31, 2020. It is quite possible that you will have a working parent who has to stay home with their child because normal education/day care/camp is not available. Unless you have more than 500 employees, or qualify for an exemption because you have less than 50 employees and meet the stringent criteria, you must offer the eligible employee up to 10 weeks of paid, expanded family and medical leave to stay home with a child if their school/daycare/camp is closed and they can’t find regular care. Like normal FMLA, it can be taken intermittently as well. I know that’s not a popular thing to hear for business owners, but it is the law.

Here are a few articles found on the SHRM website that you may useful including:

DOL Releases FFCRA Regulations
How Can We Reassure Employees Who are Worried About the Coronavirus?
Employers Must Investigate Whether Coronavirus Infections Are Work-Related
Weigh Risks in Using FFCRA’s Small-Business Exemption

Visit the DOL’s website for the FFCRA Employer Paid Leave Requirements

Visit the State of Michigan’s COVID Workplace Safety Guidelines to:

• Find your industry specific workplace guidance
• Training Videos
• Checklist for return
• Sample Preparedness Plan
• Printable Posters and Flyers

For a symptom screening tool, visit the MI Symptoms App, on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website.

Here are some other helpful links to help employers:

State of Michigan Coronavirus FAQ’s

Executive Order 2020-145 Workplace Safeguards

Executive Order 2020-147 Masks

If you have further questions, visit our Coronavirus Resource page or call our HR Consulting department at 248-543-2644 and they would be happy to help.