By: Kirsten Constant, Business Services Coordinator at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19 continues to change what doing business is like in the state of Illinois. The effects of COVID-19 and the business shutdowns have been a challenge like the business community, especially small and medium sized businesses, has never been seen before. The Illinois Chamber has made it a priority to keep you informed with information and best practices to help guide our members and the Illinois business community through these unprecedented times. The Chamber’s Business Services Division has increased our webinar production by 175% while businesses are working remotely. We conducted the series of webinars over the last couple months covering the topics below.
The Coronavirus: How Employers can Manage the Outbreak
This was the first of many webinars to provide the necessary information to all business owners. Scott Cruz, Labor and Employment Attorney with Greensfelder, Hemker, & Gale P.C., discussed current and impending risks that employers would face during this pandemic, from leaves of absence to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
COVID-19: How Employers Must Pay Workers During the Crisis
Jeff Risch, Labor and Employment Attorney with SmithAmundsen LLC, examined wage and hour issues in the workplace and fundamentally focused on COVID-19. He discussed H.R. 6201 the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and how the mandates of the act could affect employers and their employees. He stressed that all employers must pay attention to three areas: Paid Leave, Expansion of FMLA Leave, and the Expansion of Unemployment Insurance Benefits until December 31, 2020.
Crisis Management During a Pandemic: A Guide for Illinois Employers
Sean Darke, Labor and Employment Attorney with Litchfield Cavo LLP, discussed the three pillars necessary to get through the pandemic, and how important crisis management plans are. He emphasized the importance of communication between employers, employees and customers and how to keep all communication lines open.
COVID-19 and The Remote Workforce: What Employers Need to Know
Jeff Risch, Labor and Employment Attorney with SmithAmundsen LLC, presented this very informative and timely presentation on how most employees are working remotely and how to navigate issues as they come up. He discussed the importance of staying on top of information as there is new information coming out daily if not hourly when it comes to COVID-19.
COVID-19 and IL Unemployment Insurance: How it’s SUPPOSE to Work and What Employers Need to Know
Jeff Risch, Labor and Employment Attorney with SmithAmundsen LLC, presented the latest guidance on the Illinois Unemployment Insurance program best practices to implement benefits during this pandemic. He also reviewed who is eligible to receive the benefits and how benefits are calculated.
COVID-19 in the Workplace and Work Comp Claims: Employers Will Pay
Jeff Risch, Labor and Employment Attorney with SmithAmundsen LLC, explained workers’ compensation issues when it comes to COVID-19 and how to navigate situations in the workplace. He strongly encouraged following the extended stay-at-home order and new mandates included to prevent liability issues. Risch went into greater detail on specific practices including CDC recommendations, OSHA, and key steps to ensure a safe workplace.
Re-Opening the Economy —Preparing to Return Workers to the Workplace
Healthcare, Labor, and Employment attorneys Suzannah Overholt and Jeff Risch with SmithAmundsen LLC presented on what employers should do when welcoming their employees back to the workplace to ensure compliance with protocols and a positive and productive work environment. They discussed everything from phasing employees into the office, PPE, childcare issues, protecting employee’s health/safety, and managing public relations for businesses.
Supporting and Improving Employee Engagement in a Work-From-Home-World
Kimberly Weisensee Brown, founder of Centrally Human, analyzed proactive leadership in these remote work times. She stressed how important it is to make your employees feel safe in their job, and how to keep all lines of communication open with each of your employees.
The Chamber’s COVID-19 webinars has been a useful tool for business owners can use to gain information on protocols, best practices, and risk consideration during these times. The Illinois Chamber will continue to provide up-to-date information to our members and the business community as it comes available. Check out ilchamber.org/events to see more webinars on COVID-19 and what employers need to know to navigate during the pandemic. You can also check out the Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Response page at: https://ilchamber.org/communications/covid-19 for free resources and updates.