COVID-19 Resources for Employers

• Hazard Recognition
• OSHA Standards (including enforcement guidance (for example, on handling complaints and illness reports), directives and workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities)
• Medical Information regarding COVID-19
• Guidance Employers and Workers on Control and Prevention of COVID -19
• CDC Website with Resources for Business and Employers
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
• Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility
• Preparing your Small Business and Employees for the Effects of COVID-19
• Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person With COVID-19

Important SBA tips from our public assistance unit 

If your business is forced to close, you should provide required notices as soon as possible and identify the circumstances that required the closure. The 90 day notice requirement has been waived due to COVID-19

Private sector employers in New York State that employ more than 50 employees must file a WARN notice when:

• Closings affecting 25 or more workers
• Mass layoffs involving 25 or more full-time workers (if the 25 or more workers make up at least 33% of all the workers at the site)
• Mass layoffs involving 250 or more full-time workers
• Certain other relocations and covered reductions in work hours

Notice must be sent to:

• Employees
• Their representatives
• The State Labor Department at WARN@labor.ny.gov, and
• Local workforce development (LWD) partner (djthomasrcwdb@gmail.com in Rockland County)

Consider the Shared Work program as you manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments. Shared Work lets you keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.  For more information call 518-549-0496 or email sharedworkinfo@labor.ny.gov

Eligible business will have:

• Employed at least two employees working in New York State
• For four consecutive calendar quarters, you or your predecessor, must have:
  • Paid UI Contributions or
  • In lieu of contributions, elected reimbursement of benefits paid to your former employee
•  A Shared Work plan that must:
  • Reduce work hours and corresponding wages 20 – 60%
  • Apply to employees who normally work no more than 40 hours per week
  • Not reduce or eliminate fringe benefits unless fringe benefits are also being reduced or eliminated for the entire work force
  • Not extend beyond 53 weeks (when nearing the end of the plan, you may submit a request for a new plan)
  • Replace a layoff of an equal percentage of employees