HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS:  Develop an infectious disease preparedness plan Identify risks and exposure within the workplaceEncourage frequent hand-washing and social distancing Actively encourage sick employees to stay home Follow CDC, OSHA, and state law guidanceBUSINESS OPERATION TIPS:   Develop, distribute, and implement a return to work policy that addresses workplace safety such as testing, telecommuting, and altered schedulesDevelop, distribute, and implement a cleaning operation planAddress employees that are unable or unwilling to return to work Be aware of potential implications with the ADA Decide whether to test your employees If you decide to test, be aware of medical confidentiality requirements Comply with paid sick leave laws such as the FFCA Be mindful of wage and hour issues for non-exempt employeesAvoid Discrimination ClaimsWhen recalling laid off or furloughed workers, be careful to review selections for a disparate impact in order to avoid claims of discriminationWhen applying any medical test criteria in a decision to send an employee home, or when making a decision to ask an employee to not return to work, it is important to do it uniformlyResist the urge to send home, or keep home, older employees, employees with underlying health conditions, and employees who are pregnant, due to safety reasonsPrepare for future closuresLAWS PERTAINING TO COVID-19 AND RELATED ISSUES:  Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA):Provides aid and paid sick leave for employees Expands FMLA leave time for COVID-19 related issuesAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA):Protection from workplace discrimination based on disabilityWorker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN):Provides direction and guidance with respect to layoffs and furloughsWARN requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60-days advanced written notice to displaced workersCoronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Act (CARES): Unemployment CompensationTemporary expansion of unemployment compensation for individuals effected as a result of COVID-19CARES Act: Tax CARES Act provides eligible employers with up to three favorable tax provisions: employee retention tax creditdeferring social security taxes owed as payroll taxespayments of student loans by employers can be excluded from gross incomeOccupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA): General duty on employers to provide a safe workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious harmObligated to provide personal protective equipment to employees HELPFUL RESOURCES:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.htmlhttp://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDFhttps://www.cbia.com/ct-coronavirus-resources/https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/COVID-19-FAQs.pdf%E2%80%A6https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Information-For/Business-Resources Written by: