7 minute read
Advocacy
recommended specifically to combat the spread of COVID-19 is not subject to the normal OSHA requirements around workplace PPE. Employers also may face lawsuits around the limited supply of or training for PPE. Worker’s compensation issues dealing with shortages of PPE or its incorrect use are also likely to emerge. The federal government should clarify the scope of liability for the provision (or inability to provide due to scarcity) of PPE.
SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
More than 23 million Americans receive income as independent contractors in fields as varied as construction, news reporting, professional services, and online-platform-enabled work. Businesses want to be able to provide the same type of workplace protections to independent contractors as they do for employees. However, doing so could be used to argue that the individual has ceased to be an independent contractor and is instead an “employee.” Congress should settle this tension by creating a safe harbor that would allow businesses to implement health practices and provide benefits, including PPE, without establishing a formal employment relationship for the duration of the COVID-19 return to work transition.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS
The federal government took unprecedented steps to support employers and individuals during the current shutdown. These programs will need to be modified and to some extent extended and targeted to assist those businesses and individuals who will remain under distress during a phased or gradual reopening.
BUSINESSES DEPENDENT ON HIGH-DENSITY GATHERINGS OR TRAVEL
Entertainment venues, restaurants, bars, companies that host meetings and events, and many other businesses are only profitable when they achieve the type of occupancy and density that is not possible during social distancing. In addition, many businesses rely on business, trade show, and personal travel that may be greatly reduced based on social distancing guidance. A gradual or phased reopening that restricts the size of gatherings or limits travel may technically permit these businesses to reopen but this will mean operating at a significant loss. During the period where occupancy and gatherings are numerically restricted, these businesses should be provided with bridge assistance to enable them to remain viable.
INDIVIDUALS DELAYED IN RETURNING TO WORK
Until there is a widely available vaccine, or at least a widely available effective treatment for those who fall ill, not everyone will be able to resume normal work activities. High risk populations will need to engage in social distancing or even remain at home entirely. Individuals, including independent contractors, who must stay home because of their risk profile will need ongoing financial support if they cannot work remotely. This may require an extension of regular unemployment insurance or the creation of a new “high risk” unemployment insurance system.
TWC TRAINING GRANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES DISLOCATED WORKER GRANT
TWC has grants to train individuals who are out of work and meet eligibility requirement to clean and sanitize public spaces ahead of reopening to the public. In addition to the training, they will be offering placement opportunities for these individuals with public agencies to help augment their existing workforce to meet the challenges of reopening.
As with our Work Experience Program, Workforce Solutions East Texas will be the employer of record and carry workman’s compensation insurance for the participants and the public agency will get the benefit of additional manpower.
Workforce Solutions East Texas COVID-19 Response
Disaster Dislocated Worker Grant:
Provides training and subsidized employment for the cleaning and sanitizing of public spaces ahead of reopening facilities to the public.
Workforce Solutions East Texas is the employer of record and carries the Workman’s Compensation Insurance for the participants. You get the additional trained assistance needed to reopen your facilities.
Small cities, ISDs and other public agencies needing assistance in cleaning/sanitizing their facilities and who need additional manpower to reopen can email: employerservices@easttexasworkforce.org or call Timothy Smith 903-500-7124
Public inquiries about services available can be directed to 844 –ETWORKS (389-6757)
Advocacy Strengthening Longview by Advocating for Local Business
REOPENING TEXAS Responses for Return to Work Guidance from TWC
As East Texas business looks to begin the process of reopening our economy, we have received questions from employers regarding calling employees back and the employee refusing to return preferring to remain on UI.
Here is the answer for the employer:
If an employee is called back to work and refuses, the employer should report this is a refusal to return to work. All facts should be provided i.e. provisions have been made for a safer work environment, providing all details. TWC will evaluate based on each individual case and could make the determination to cut off UI benefits. You should report any job refusal. You may send the information to twc.fraud@twc.state.tx.us or call 1-800- 252-3642.
For additional information or assistance, Tim Smith of Workforce Solutions East Texas asks you to reach out to him directly:
Timothy Smith
Business Services Manager Workforce Solutions East Texas 2430 S. High St. Ste. A-1 Longview, TX 75602 Office 903-500-7124
Chamber at the Front Line, Fighting for Business!
COVID-19 has changed the world is the understatement of the millennium. In the midst of a roaring economy, low unemployment and divided political discourse, our world is turned upside down and leaders everywhere fight to maintain calm, defend and overcome an unknown and deadly virus, and keep the economy moving while sheltering communities in place to protect people. Companies have been forced to make complete changes to maintain their business if they are noted as being essential. The definition of essential personnel has suddenly changed to the appreciation of frontline workers of the obvious medical personnel who protect our health and work tirelessly treating COVID patients that either recover or become part of the ugly statistics of this era, but also those who stock groceries, grow, harvest and cook food, transport and bring it to your car or door. Americans have a greater appreciation for the American worker.
This meme succinctly captured the surreal environment!
2020
Written by Stephen King Directed by Quentin Tarantino
True to the generous and entrepreneur spirit of our area, businesses are changing to navigate this compressed economy. You can be proud of the positive response of our business community and folks working every day to help one another. Living in the Longview trade area is a beautiful thing. Our elected officials have responded swiftly utilizing scientific data to keep us safe, while encouraging our spirits. We will get back to a more normal world, but it will take time, careful planning, and patience. We encourage everyone to take advantage of being home with family, strengthening and enriching those relationships that really matter. As one little one out it, “I am glad we have to spend more time at home with family.” And now comes the time to carefully reopen for business!
Your chamber has taken the leadership role ensuring factual and scientific information is communicated to our business community and beyond. Because Facts Matter. We will continue enlisting the aid of experts and trusted officials to ensure the latest factual information is available in the webinars we host. In a suite of COVID-19 Resource Pages, your Chamber has set aside this section of our web site as a resource and launching post to help each other, and identify new opportunities in how we work and communicate and keep customers engaged. The information is from a national, state, local and chamber level, and that suite is growing as we identify and create more resources to help our business community. With webinars, podcasts, and continued ways to virtually connect our membership, your Chamber has hosted 25 webinars with experts to navigate federal funding and legislation, safety and health, productivity, business management, and more. We will continue to add to this suite to address business needs in rapidly changing times. It is a time of change and transformation, and your chamber is here to guide and partner along the way. We may be in a dark tunnel, but we can see that there is indeed a light at its end. We’ve got you. ______________________________________________________________
For now, do your duty:
Local elections have been moved. The general election on November 3, 2020. How voting looks in the time of COVID will be determined. We’ll keep you up to date.
• Register to vote!
• Read scientific and factual information on issues and candidates.
• Make your plan ahead of time when and where you will vote. You’ve seen how rapidly life can change.
• Take advantage of early voting, and mail-in where appropriate.
• Fill out the 2020 Census – remember this determines how much federal funding is allocated to our area to support our community! #LongviewCounts! #2020Census
