Unemployment in the U.S. Rises Rapidly Due to COVID-19 — What Does This Mean for Your Business?- HR Affiliates Blog
COVID-19 is now a global pandemic — causing millions of Americans nationwide to file for unemployment. The current climate has caused lawmakers to put new laws and regulations in motion, fast. With the quick pace of laws getting passed, misinformation and confusion are also growing. At HR Affiliates, our mission is to keep you informed of the latest changes happening — how they affect your company, you as an employer, and your team.
Unemployment Benefits Vary by State
Individual states have a significant amount of say to amend their laws in order to provide unemployment benefits to those who are out of work due to the effects of COVID-19. The U.S. is taking every precaution and initiative to decrease the risk of coronavirus, and part of that means temporarily closing the doors for many businesses nationwide. In an effort to flatten the curve by encouraging people to “stay-in” and “social distance” during the pandemic, many Americans still aren’t able to work remotely. According to the guidance, states offer unemployment benefits in these scenarios:
- An employer temporarily closes due to COVID-19 and employees are out of work
- An employee is quarantined but expects to resume work when the quarantine is over
- An employee leaves his/her job due to a risk of exposure to infection
- An employee leaves his/her job in order to care for a family member
By law, employees aren’t required to quit their jobs to receive unemployment benefits that are related to the COVID-19.
Stay Connected With Updates From an HR Consultant
We are encouraging both employers and employees to check their appropriate state government website for state-specific unemployment insurance accessibility. During this time, it is paramount that everyone stays in the loop when it comes to their status of work, and what they are eligible for. At HR Affiliates we stand to protect your business, even during the toughest of times. We want your company to come out of this global pandemic a thriving one. This is a difficult time for everyone — we’re here to help you plan while staying informed with the most up-to-date laws and regulations. Reach out to an HR consultant today for all of your HR needs.