As a close observer of the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak from my West African work, the most precious commodity in the current pandemic is knowledge. Please consider this eight-minute COVID-19 video for a concrete understanding of the actual challenge we all face and the simple actions necessary to place this ordeal firmly in the rear view mirror.

We are thus holding firm to help our clients, readers, and communities with the needed information, education and counseling on the workplace impact of this rapidly changing scene. This includes an accelerated series of e-letters, most coming soon, covering major concerns, including:

• Telecommuting in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak (March 18, 2020);
  
• The federal “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” making well over half of the American workforce potentially eligible for paid leave for the remainder of the year, going into effect April 2, 2020 (e-letter coming soon);
• Employer Coronavirus safety actions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (e-letter coming soon; in the meantime, see current federal guidelines);
• California’s accelerated and broadened unemployment benefits for Coronavirus-affected workers (e-letter coming soon; in the meantime, see current government summaries); and
• California employer tax reporting and payment relief actions (e-letter coming soon; in the meantime, see current government summaries)

We move through these times together. If you have specific questions regarding response to the pandemic’s effects on the workplace, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin.

Tim Bowles

March 19, 2020