Workforce Issues

As developments continue to unfold in response to the spread of COVID-19, we know many small businesses have questions about implications in the workplace and funding options to help bolster their businesses during this difficult time. On this page, we are compiling relevant tips and resources such as unemployment, paid family leave, paid sick leave, healthcare and more.

Family medical leave, Paid sick days
Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

Temporary Disability / Caregiver Insurance

Temporary Caregiver Insurance was signed into law on July 11, 2013. TCI provides eligible claimants up to 4 weeks of caregiver benefits to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law or grandparent, or to bond with a newborn child, new adopted child or new foster-care child. You must apply for TCI benefits during the first 30 days after the first day of leave is taken for reasons of bonding or caregiving.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees

Family medical leave, Paid sick days
Connecticut

Connecticut Paid Leave

Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) offers Connecticut workers the opportunity to take time to attend to personal and family health needs without worrying about lost income. The CT Paid Leave Authority provides Connecticut’s workforce access to paid family and medical leave benefits by offering helpful tools and resources to help administer this new program. Employers can register for this program starting November 1, 2020.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees, Self-employed

Family medical leave
New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Family Leave Insurance

Family Leave Insurance provides New Jersey workers cash benefits to bond with a newborn, newly adopted, newly placed foster child, or to provide care for a seriously ill or injured loved one. While most New Jersey workers who take family leave are covered under the State’s family leave program, some employers provide Family Leave Insurance through a plan with a private insurance carrier instead. If you are not sure about your coverage, ask your employer.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees

Paid sick days
New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Earned Sick Leave

New Jersey’s Sick Leave Law gives New Jersey employees the right to accrue and use up to 40 hours of paid sick leave (PSL) in any period of 12 consecutive months. Employers who violate the PSL law can be subject to significant administrative, civil, and potentially criminal charges. Accordingly, employers should evaluate their PSL policies in light of DLWD’s new rules.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees

Family medical leave
New York

New York State

New York State Paid Family Leave

In 2016, Governor Cuomo signed into law the nation’s strongest and most comprehensive Paid Family Leave policy. Today, working families no longer have to choose between caring for their loved ones and risking their economic security.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees

Family medical leave, Paid sick days
New York

New York State

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a United States labor law that provides job-protected, unpaid leave for employees for qualified medical and family reasons.

 

If an employee has an event that qualifies for leave under both FMLA and Paid Family Leave, and the employer is covered under both laws, the employer can require them to run concurrently. In order for the two types of leaves to run together, the employer must notify the employee that the leave qualifies for both FMLA and Paid Family Leave, and that it will be designated as such.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees

Paid sick days
District of Columbia

D.C. Department of Employment Services

D.C. Paid Sick Law FAQ

Accrual of paid sick leave is mandated in Washington, D.C. Visit the site for employer FAQs on paid sick leave.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees

Human resources, Productivity tools, Staying safe
National

Zenefits

The Coronavirus Comeback Kit

More than 15 HR templates to help navigate workplace uncertainties including email templates, checklists, and workplace safety guidelines. Use these tools to help communicate workplace updates to customers and staff. Free download.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Non-profits

Human resources, Productivity tools
National

Expensify

Expensify

From receipt scanning to reimbursement, Expensify automates every step of the expense reporting process.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Non-profits

Human resources, Productivity tools
National

GoCo

GoCo: Level-Up Your HR with Flexible Onboarding, Benefits & Payroll

Streamline benefits programs, payroll, document management, on and off boarding, performance tracking, and time-off management all in one place with GoCo. 

Audience: Small Business Owners, Non-profits

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