COVID-19 and the Workforce: May 22, 2020

COVID-19 and the Workforce: May 22, 2020

TOP HEADLINES 

Your Business is Essential. How Do You Protect Workers During a Pandemic? 
HR Dive – May 15, 2020 
As coronavirus spread across the country, some of the essential factories and warehouses that stayed open struggled to prevent the virus’ spread within their facilities and gave managers pause for how they could keep operations going while maintaining safe conditions. 

Jobless Claims Total 2.4 Million, Still Elevated Levels but a Declining Pace from Previous Weeks  
CNBC – May 21, 2020 
First-time filings for unemployment insurance totaled 2.44 million last week as the tail effects of the coronavirus shutdown continued to impact the U.S. jobs market. The total has fallen for seven straight weeks from its record peak. 

Apple-Google COVID-19 Contact Tracing Software Released  
HR Dive – May 20, 2020 
Apple and Google have launched software allowing public health agencies to create contact tracing apps that will notify users if they’ve been close to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. 

How GM’s Fast-Moving Recruiters Helped Save Lives 
LinkedIn – May 12, 2020 
For recruiters, finding talent is always critical. But recently, for the recruiting team at General Motors, it became a matter of saving lives. 

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 
As Australia Slowly Relaxes Lockdown, Victoria Battles COVID-19 Clusters 
Reuters – May 15, 2020 
For the first weekend since mid-March, restaurants, cafes and bars were re-opening in most parts of Australia, including New South Wales, but Victoria retained most of its lockdown measures. 

CANADA 
U.S., Canada Agree to Keep Border Partly Closed for Another 30 Days  
NPR – May 19, 2020  
The U.S. and Canada have extended an order closing their shared border to nonessential traffic. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the decision Tuesday, prolonging for a second time an agreement was initially reached in March. 

INDIA 
Temp Firms Bear Brunt of Job Losses, but Health Care and Delivery Staff Cushion the Blow 
Staffing Industry Analysts – May 19, 2020 
Temporary staffing firms in India have taken a hit as clients lay off employees amid the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, although healthcare and sectors that require last-mile delivery staff have cushioned the impact. 

UNITED KINGDOM 
Number of People with Coronavirus in England Remains Stable, Says ONS 
The Guardian – May 21, 2020 
The number of people with coronavirus in England has remained stable since the end of April, according to new data, with nearly 140,000 people infected in the last two weeks. 

UNITED STATES 
CDC Releases Comprehensive Coronavirus Guidance  
SHRM – May 21, 2020 
Detailed guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week sets out criteria for reopening the economy and tracking coronavirus cases, with specific instructions for child care centers, schools and day camps, restaurants and bars, mass transit, and all employers with high-risk workers. 

POLAND 
Poland’s Economy May Shrink 4-5% in 2020 Due to Lockdown 
Reuters – May 20, 2020 
Poland’s economy may shrink in 2020 by 4-5%, more than the previously forecast 3.4%, as the coronavirus lockdown has lasted longer than anticipated, a senior finance ministry official said on May 20. 

Post by Jasmine Patel

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