12 Mar

Posted at 17:46h in COVID-19, HR and Operations by . .

News Brief header On Thursday, March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden directed states to make all adults, ages 18 and older, eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations by May 1.

The directive came during Biden’s first prime-time address, one year after the COVID-19 pandemic began and hours after signing his administration’s $1.9 trillion relief bill into law. The president announced that the country will have enough vaccines to open eligibility to everyone by May 1, two months sooner than original estimates. This tracks with Biden’s new goal: having in-person celebrations on the Fourth of July.

26 Feb

Posted at 18:51h in COVID-19, HR and Operations by . .

News Brief header The Biden administration recently announced a 14-day period of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Payment Protection Program (PPP) when only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for relief.

This period will begin Wednesday, Feb. 24, and conclude on Wednesday, March 10. Biden also announced four other changes to expand the benefits of the PPP program to underserved small businesses, including:

26 Feb

Posted at 18:47h in COVID-19, HR and Operations by . .

Attraction and Retention Challenges amid COVID-19 header Attracting and retaining talent is often a top priority for HR departments.

Given the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the job market, one might imagine this task is easier than ever. Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. While there may be more candidates than usual, attracting quality talent and retaining top performers still remains a struggle, worsened by COVID-19 and its effects on the workplace. This article shares some tips for attracting and retaining workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

19 Feb

Posted at 16:21h in COVID-19, HR and Operations by . .

HR Compliance Bulletin header image The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance on the elements of consent and disclosures necessary to support employee decision-making when employers incorporate workplace COVID-19 testing.

Differences in position and authority (such as workplace hierarchies), as well as employment status in nonstandard working arrangements (e.g., temporary help, contract help or part-time employment) can affect an employee’s ability to make free decisions. This guidance suggests measures employers can take when developing a testing program.    

12 Feb

Posted at 17:38h in COVID-19, HR and Operations by . .

HR Insights Blog Header Employee communications related to the pandemic have played a major role in keeping employees safe and healthy while navigating operational changes and challenges.

Now, the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines have become available after the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for two vaccines. As initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccines are allocated for people in certain groups, employers can and should begin planning for when the general public has access.    

12 Feb

Posted at 17:30h in COVID-19, HR and Operations by . .

HR Insights Blog Header The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for HR departments in 2020.

Suddenly, employees were looking to HR teams for guidance in areas not typically considered their responsibility. This was a turning point for many workplaces—now, HR is expected to understand public health challenges swiftly and manage them efficiently. This article outlines four ways HR teams can prepare for future public health crises. Employers should use this information to help cope with the current COVID-19 pandemic fallout and beyond.