COVID 19 Update 14
Updated ESD Guidance on Essential Business
Empire State Development wants to reinforce several key messages:
· If your business function is listed as essential, then there is nothing else you need to do. You do not need to contact ESD for affirmative documentation or email confirmation and, due to volume, ESD will be unable to formally confirm to essential businesses that they are, in fact, essential. Given that you are already essential, you will not receive any further communication from ESD.
· With respect to business or entities that operate or provide both essential and non-essential services, supplies or support, only those lines and/or business operations that are necessary to support the essential services, supplies, or support are exempt from the restriction. (Our understanding remains that if your operation is going to great lengths to keep employees safe and distanced “business operations that are necessary to support the essential services, supplies, or support” will be broadly interpreted.)
ESD Updated Guidance on Essential Businesses 2020 0324
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White House, Senate Reach Deal on $2 Trillion Stimulus Package
The Hill Reports that the deal includes $500 billion for a major corporate liquidity program through the Federal Reserve, $367 billion for a small business loan program, $100 billion for hospitals and $150 billion for state and local governments.
It will also give a one-time check of $1,200 to Americans who make up to $75,000. Individuals with no or little tax liability would receive the same amount, unlike the initial GOP proposal that would have given them a minimum of $600.
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Employment Law Issues: The Council of Industry is Teaming Up With Greenwald Doherty, LLP For An Essential HR Discussion Led by Joel Greenwald
Monday, March 30, 1 pm Online Web Conference – Audio Only
Or email abutler@councilofindustry.org
We are living in interesting times, with, it seems, daily changes and challenges for employers under the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are trying to do more with less—or are shuttering altogether where restrictions have been imposed on their operations. Many employment laws are implicated in the down-sizing, right-sizing, furloughing and laying off being contemplated and implemented. Wage and hour laws, lay-off notice laws, discrimination laws and others can impact employer actions. While trying to act swiftly to preserve business operations, employers need to be sure to comply with the various applicable laws.
Visit Greenwald Doherty’s blog Employment Law and the Current COVID-19 Crisis for additional information.
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Ulster County Businesses Are invited to Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan & the Office of Economic Development’s Zoom Webinar: March 26, 2020 at 12PM
Please join Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and representatives from the departments of Economic Development, Tourism and Employment & Training on Thursday, March 26 at 12 PM via Zoom Webinar!
Zoom Registration
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan will give you the latest updates and you will have a chance to ask your business questions to people who can provide you with answers. Information about essential businesses, Unemployment Insurance, possible grant and loan support are among the topics being covered. To ask a question in advance please email: oed@co.ulster.ny.us
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Federal Updates
Labor Department Asks for Input on Paid Leave Implementation
The U.S. Department of Labor will be hosting an online dialogue to provide employers and employees with an opportunity to offer their perspectives as the department develops compliance assistance materials related to the implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. As a reminder, the FFCRA requires all employers with fewer than 500 employees to offer up to 12 weeks of paid leave for absences related to COVID-19. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, March 29. You can provide input here.
Overview of Small Business Administration Loan Program
The Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Read the NAM’s overview of the SBA loan process and other programs to aid in businesses’ response to the COVID-19 crisis here.
Overview of Financial Regulators’ Response to COVID-19
Federal financial regulators have taken aggressive steps to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, designed to free up capital and liquidity for small businesses across the country. The NAM has prepared an overview of these programs and regulatory changes as a resource for our members. Read the overview here.
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