Smart business owners are planning for when the regulations of quarantine will be relaxed and business operations will return. Forward-thinking companies should focus on three areas: 1) use of the loan proceeds under the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); 2) safe return-to-work practices, and 3) preparing for COVID-19 related lawsuits. The first area requires legal and financial planning and understanding the PPP. The second requires legal and workplace safety planning to meet CDC workplace safe distancing mandates. The last requires implementing corporate best practices and procedures to prepare now for a potential COVID-19 related lawsuit. This article discusses these topics generally, and the authors are happy to discuss your particular circumstances.
Three Phase Plan Checklist for Returning to the Workplace
Organizations around the country are beginning efforts to re-open offices, retail businesses, educational institutions, manufacturing facilities, and other physical locations. Interpreting requirements from varying levels of local and state governments while navigating the complexities of best practices issues by trade and industry groups is a challenge that most organizations could use help to manage.
Restaurant Litigation – Is This A Trend?
McDonald’s employees in Chicago and Los Angeles have sued over unsafe, COVID-19-related working conditions, claiming the burger giant failed to mandate OSHA/CDC social distancing guidelines and advise employees when their coworkers were diagnosed with the virus.
Federal Reserve Board Further Expands Main Street Lending Program
On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve established the Main Street Lending Program (the “Program”) to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in good financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Jersey Lifts Stay-At-Home Order as Non-Essential Businesses are Primed to Reopen
On June 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced he would lift Executive Order 107 signed on March 21, 2020, which placed unprecedented restrictions on non-essential businesses in New Jersey because of the COVID 19 pandemic.
COVID-19 CARES Act Updates – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
On May 22, 2020, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released two interim rules regarding (i) the forgiveness process of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), and (ii) the SBA’s process for reviewing loan applications and loan forgiveness applications, as well as the responsibilities of borrowers and lenders (collectively, the “Interim Rules”).
COVID-19 CARES Act Updates – Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA)
On June 5, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA). The PPPFA makes changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established under the CARES Act (signed into law on March 27, 2020).
New York State Department of Health Interim Guidance for Construction Projects during the COVID-19 Emergency
On May 13, 2020, the New York State Department of Health issued a model plan and guidance for reopening and operating construction sites in New York State during the Covid-19 Emergency. There is also an overall guide from the State entitled: NY Forward Reopening Guide that contains more general information. The following are links to the Master Guide, the Short Guide, Model Plan and Reopening Guide all prepared by the State of New York.
OSHA Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of COVID-19 Goes Into Effect Today, May 26, 2020
The new guidance memorandum from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) regarding employers’ obligations to record confirmed cases of COVID-19 goes into effect today and rescinds OSHA’s prior guidance on this topic.
Emergency Drug Distributions During COVID-19
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has altered business operations worldwide and brought the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries to the forefront of international focus.