Resources for workers and employers impacted by COVID-19
The COVID-19 shelter-in-place order may present financial challenges for local businesses. To help mitigate these challenges, the City of Concord has highlighted a variety of resources that businesses can pursue during this difficult time.
Resources for Workers and Employers Impacted by COVID-19
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
The EDD has created a centralized COVID-19 resource page for both workers and employers impacted by COVID-19. Workers experiencing reduced hours, as well as those who must miss work to receive treatment or care for sick family members or children during school closures, will find helpful resources. The resource page also includes information for self-employed/independent contractors.
Employers who are experiencing a hardship due to COVID-19 will find helpful resources related to tax relief, such as a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports and deposit payroll taxes, and potential closure or layoffs. For example, the Work Sharing Program, a form of unemployment insurance, helps employers reduce hours as an alternative to layoffs. Also, employers facing potential closure or layoffs can receive help through the local workforce development board’s Rapid Response Program.
Note: Businesses interested in the Rapid Response Program should contact the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County: Patience Ofodu, Business Services Manager, (510) 453-6950, pofodu@ehsd.cccounty.us.
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC has published interim guidance on what is currently known about COVID-19 and how businesses and employers can plan, prepare, and respond to the disease. The guidance is of particular importance to essential businesses still operating during the shelter-in-place order. Visit the CDC website to view the interim guidance for businesses and employers.
Resources for Employers and Workers
California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA)
LWDA is an executive branch agency that provides leadership to protect and improve the well-being of California’s current and future workforce. The agency has created this centralized COVID-19 resource page to help workers, employers, and families access information and assistance.
Requirements to Protect Workers from COVID-19
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA)
Per Cal/OSHA’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standard (section 5199), employers must protect workers exposed to airborne infectious diseases such as COVID-19. CAL/OSHA’s COVID-19 resource page offers guidance to help employers comply with safety requirements and to provide workers with information on how to protect themselves.
FAQs on Laws Enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office
California Labor Commissioner’s Office
The mission of the California Labor Commissioner’s Office is to ensure a just day’s pay in every workplace in the State and to promote economic justice through robust enforcement of labor law. To help employers and employees understand their obligations and rights, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office has created this COVID-19 FAQs for Labor Laws page.
FAQs for California Employers
California Employers Association (CEA)
CEA is a not-for-profit employers association that provides support services to businesses in California. The employers association has created this COVID-19 FAQs for California Employers page to help employers understand their workplace obligations.