Coronavirus Update 4-29-2020 number 2: Ohio flips (again) on mandatory masks for employees

Adding to the profound confusion on the mask requirements for reopening businesses, Ohio appears to have changed its mind for the third time in the past 48 hours on whether masks will be required for employees.

It now appears that masks are required for employees and recommended for visitors and customers.

Coronavirus Update 4-29-2020: Governor’s DeWine’s explanation for why masks are only “recommended” falls woefully short

I tuned in yesterday to Governor DeWine’s 2 pm briefing to learn why Ohio had changed its stance on face masks and coverings from “mandatory” to “recommended best practice.” His explanation falls way short.

The Governor offered two explanations, both based on feedback he received from constituents in the hours after his original pronouncement.

1. Masks are offensive to some, who don’t like the government telling them what to do.
2. Masks can be problematic for people with disabilities.

Coronavirus Update 4-28-2020 number 2: Ohio’s reopening plan 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 masks for all employees

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

 – Ferris Bueller

This morning, I wrote an entire post about the wise policy choice the State of Ohio made in mandating masks or facial covering for everyone entering a business moving forward. Then I conducted a webinar for over 200 people during which I spoke at length about this face-covering requirement.

What happened next? Ohio changed its mind.

Coronavirus Update 4-28-2020: Ohio’s reopening plan includes 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 masks for all employees

Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced his plan to “responsibly” reopen Ohio, which will happen in phases.

• May 1: Healthcare procedures that don't require an overnight hospital stay, dentists, and veterinary offices
• May 4: Manufacturers, distribution, construction, and general office environments
• May 12: Consumer, retail and service providers
• Restaurants, bars, salons, and daycares will remain closed until further notice.

Ohio’s coronavirus microsite has all of the requirements and recommended best practices for each business sector.

Generally, the state is requiring five protocols for all businesses as a condition to reopening:

Coronavirus Update 4-27-2020: Bringing your employees back to work when unemployment pays them more than you do

At 2 pm today, Governor DeWine will announce his plan for restarting Ohio’s economy (currently expected to begin on May 2). One huge issue, however, is how businesses can incent their employees to return to work if unemployment is paying them more than you will.

Including the CARES Act’s $600 unemployment bonus that expires on July 31, an employee earning maximum unemployment benefits from the State of Ohio earns $1,247 per week, the equivalent of an hourly rate of $31.17 or a yearly salary of nearly $65,000. My guess is that most of your employees do not earn this much. It’s one of the worst unintended consequences of the CARES Act—employees are making more money unemployed than they did employed.

Thus, how do you incent your employees to come off unemployment and return to work, either because you are reopening or you need to end their furlough? You can either use the stick or the carrot.

Coronavirus update 4-24-2020: A coronavirus DOL settlement, and listen to me discuss empoyers’ preparations for reopening our economy

It did not take long for the Department of Labor to announce its first-ever settlement of a claimed violation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

The DOL’s press release provides the details:

Coronavirus update 4-23-2020: Your employees walk out in protest over coronavirus-related working conditions. Now what?

This week, Amazon workers are protesting what they view as unsafe working conditions. 300 workers from 50 facilities will skip their scheduled shift to protest Amazon’s treatment of warehouse workers.

According to United for Respect, the worker rights group organizing the protest, says that the Amazon employees are hoping to accomplish the following.