COVID-19 and the Workforce: March 27, 2020

COVID-19 and the Workforce: March 27, 2020

TOP HEADLINES

Confused About the Coronavirus Paid-Leave Mandate? DOL Issued Some Guidance
SHRM – March 25, 2020
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its first official guidance for employers and workers about the paid-leave provisions in the coronavirus relief bill that was signed into law on March 18. Here are some key points for employers to note.

Jobless Claims Soar Past 3 Million to Record High
CNBC – March 26, 2020
The number shatters the Great Recession peak of 665,000 in March 2009 and the all-time mark of 695,000 in October 1982. Claims had been expected to hit a record 1.5 million for the week, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

Ford, 3M, GE and the UAW to Build Respirators, Ventilators and Face Shields for Coronavirus Fight
TechCrunch – March 24, 2020
Ford announced the details of its current manufacturing efforts around building much-needed medical supplies for front-line healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients. Its efforts include building Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) with partner 3M, including a new design that employs existing parts from both partners to deliver effectiveness and highly scalable production capacity.

What’s New from the CDC
Keep up with all the latest information on COVID-19 directly from the resources created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

GLOBAL NEWS

AUSTRALIA
Australian Government Readies COVID-19 Information App
ZDNet – March 26, 2020
The federal government is looking to publish an app to help distribute information on the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 Gov’t Mobile Platform opportunity was posted on the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) Digital Marketplace, which is touted by the agency as being a “simple, open platform that brings government buyers and digital sellers together”.

CANADA
Canada Turns Inward as Pandemic Surges Within and Beyond its Borders
Politico – March 25, 2020
The prime minister has signaled he’s open to tightening the border further if the U.S. becomes the new epicenter of Covid-19. Like many of its like-minded allies in Europe, Canada is turning inward as the virus cases continue to multiply worldwide, and especially in the United States.

INDIA
India’s Coronavirus Lockdown and its Looming Crisis, Explained
Vox – March 24, 2020
At first glance, India seems like a coronavirus success story, with its relatively low number of cases compared with the rest of the world. But a closer look reveals a grim reality: It’s likely only months away from a major health crisis.

UNITED KINGDOM
Coronavirus: Rishi Sunak to Unveil Financial Aid For Self-Employed
BBC News – March 26, 2020
Self-employed workers facing financial difficulties as a result of coronavirus are set to be offered a package of support from the government. Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out plans for 80% wage subsidies for staff kept on by employers last week – and the PM has said he wants similar protection for freelancers.

UNITED STATES
Senate Passes $2 Trillion Coronavirus Economic Relief Bill
​SHRM – March 26, 2020
The U.S. Senate approved the third coronavirus relief bill, which aims to help stabilize the economy and provide funds for distressed small businesses and laid-off workers. The Senate passed the bill in a 96 to 0 vote on March 25. The U.S. House of Representatives will now consider the measure, which is the largest economic rescue package in U.S. history, according to Politico.

POLAND
Poland: First Proposal of Support Measures Due to COVID-19
The National Law Review – March 25, 2020
Poland’s government has announced an economic stimulus package, valued at PLN212 billion, to assist entrepreneurs and employees amid the COVID-19 crisis. The package consists of five pillars, outlined in this article.

Post by Jasmine Patel

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