COVID-19 and the Workforce: May 8, 2020

TOP HEADLINES 

EEOC Won’t Collect Employer EEO-1 Data in 2020 Due to Coronavirus  
SHRM – May 7, 2020 
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on May 7 that it will delay until March 2021 collection of EEO-1 Component 1 information — which asks for the number of employees who work for a covered business sorted by job category, race, ethnicity and gender. 

A Record 20.5 Million Jobs Were Lost in April as Unemployment Rate Jumps to 14.7% 
CNBC – May 8, 2020 
The impact of the coronavirus-induced economic shutdown tore through the U.S. labor market in April at historic levels, slashing 20.5 million workers from nonfarm payrolls and sending the unemployment rate skyrocketing to 14.7%, the Labor Department reported Friday. 

5 Compliance Tips for Reopening the Workplace  
HR Dive – May 4, 2020 
As the U.S. looks to reopen society during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no doubt about how drastically the compliance landscape changed. Here are five key areas employers should consider as they decide to reopen. 

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 
After Containing COVID-19, Can New Zealand and Australia Show How to Reopen? 
World Politics Review – May 6, 2020 
While their successful responses to the pandemic can offer lessons for other countries still struggling with major COVID-19 outbreaks, how Australia and New Zealand reopen — and whether they can do so without causing a spike in cases or sparking a political backlash — will be instructive as well. 

CANADA 
COVID-19: Trudeau Pledges $252M to Help Canada’s Agriculture and Food Industries 
National Post – May 5, 2020 
The federal government moved Tuesday to ease multiple pressures in Canada’s agriculture industry created by the COVID-19 pandemic with the promise of a $252-million aid package. 

INDIA 
Most Employers Keen to Retain Existing Workforce Amid Crisis, Survey Finds 
Staffing Industry Analysts – May 6, 2020 
Most employers in India are keen to retain their existing staff amid uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, according to a survey from staffing firm Genius Consultants. 

UNITED KINGDOM 
UK to Test COVID-19 Tracing App on the Isle of Wight This Week 
Reuters – May 4, 2020 
Britain will start testing its own COVID-19 tracing app on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday, hoping that the technology in combination with more testing and tracking will help limit transmission of the coronavirus. 

UNITED STATES 
Paycheck Protection Program: Firms Must Act Quickly 
Staffing Industry Review – May 7, 2020 
The SBA Paycheck Protection Program aims to help companies survive by providing a direct incentive to keep employees on the payroll during the COVID-19 crisis. Qualifying staffing firms need to act fast if they are interested in taking part. 

POLAND 
Poland’s Economy Set to be Least Affected in EU by COVID-19 Pandemic, Says Report 
The First News – May 6, 2020 
The Polish economy is set to be the least affected in the EU by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the virus bringing an end to around three decades of uninterrupted economic growth in Poland.