COVID-19 – Back To Work Resources

Friends,

First, and most importantly, I hope you and your loved ones are safe and staying healthy.

Over the last few months, we have all been affected in ways good and bad, and in ways we may not yet even know.  Yet, I hope that as we slowly get back to work, you have the same optimism I have. 
 
To help you navigate the return to work, I’ve personally curated a list of links focused on the growth and protection of your business, PPP Loans, mental health of yoru employees, local, state and federal laws and resourxces, and ideas to ease the transition back to work. Simply click on the words and you will have access to the website.  

As additional laws are passed, and relevant information is put out, I will add those links as well, so please bookmark this site and check back often.

Please call or email me if I can help you in any way.  You can even schedule time directly with me at this link.

Michigan Back To Work Resources

The state of Michigan, many Michigan counties, and numerous associations have resources to help companies get back to work.  This includes not only economic and business development help, but also health and safety resources. 

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation – Small Business Restart Loans
• Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation
• Oakland County – Reopening Digital Toolkit
• Wayne County – Reopening Resources
• Macomb County – Resources to Reopen Your Business
• Livingston County – Guidance to Reopen Businesses
• Washtenaw County – FAQs for Workplaces
• Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM)
• Detroit Chamber of Commerce
• Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• United State Chamber of Commerce

PPP, CARES Act, State and Federal Financial Aid Resources

The Payroll Protection Program has seen its share of critics and advocates, especially surrounding loan forgiveness. Unbelievably, there is still money available for businesses who have not yet taken advantage of the program.  The most recent change to the law just occurred last week (and I’m sure there will be more in the future).  

• Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020
• Journal Of Accountancy Analysis of PPP Flexibility Act
• Original Paycheck Protection Program Act
• CARES Act Home Page
• The complete CARES Act
• SBA Application for PPP Loan (Yes, there is still money available)
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (Grants and Loans)

Mental and Physical Health Resources

Right after PPP and Work-From-Home articles, I think the most frequently discussed issue is the mental health of employees during the pandemic and as they return to work. Here are a few articles on the topic that I think every employer should read to understand the issues their employees may be confronting.

• American Psychological Association – Employee Mental Health
• U.S Chamber of Commerce – Supporting Employees Mental Health Upon Return to Work
• SHRM – How to Manage the Mental Health of Returning Employees
• National Institutes of Health
• National Cancer Institute
• Centers For Disease Control
• Health and Human Services
• Food and Drug Administration

Michigan and Federal Laws and Regulations

Michigan and federal laws and regulations continue to be issued.  This list will help keep you up to date on current questions you might have.

• Governor Executive Orders – List of all orders
• Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity – MI Symptom Web Application – Free tool so employers can comply with Executive Order 2020-97 (For use by employers and employees to help identify symptoms casued by COVID and to determine when to seek medical care.)
• Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity – MIOSHA Workplace Safety Guidelines
• Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity – MIOSHA Workplace Reopening Checklist
• Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity – MIOSHA Employer Guideline for Workplace Safety and Health
• Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity – MIOSHA Preparedness and Response Plan

• Federation Aviation Administration (FAA) – Flying and Coronavirus
• Centers For Disease Control FAQs on Flying
• Department of Labor – Coronavirus Issues
• OSHA Covid Regulations
• IRS – Coronavirus Issues
• U.S. Treasury Department
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
• Coronavirus.gov
• USA.gov/coronavirus

Local, State and Federal Health Agencies and Departments

• Find a Testing Center In Michigan Near You
• Centers for Disease Control 
• National Institutes of Health
• State of Michigan Coronavirus Site
• State of Michigan Coronavirus FAQ
• Oakland County Department of Health 
• Wayne County Department of Health 
• Macomb County Department of Health

Quotes on Hope and Optimism

I know there is anxiety and fear as we head back to work.  To help get us through, I reviewed my collection of quotes on hope and optimism.  Here are a few I hope will inspire you:

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

“I think I am going to have to supercharge my optimism to arm myself for the battle ahead.” – Rebecca Bloom

“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.” – Nicholas M. Butler

“We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
 
“It’s not that optimism solves all of life’s problems; it is just that it can sometimes make the difference between coping and collapsing.” – Lucy MacDonald