Coronavirus Resource Guide for Businesses

(Updated 1/21/2021) – This page was used as a way to provide timely information to our member businesses during the start of the pandemic. While the information that is deemed continually useful has remained, this page is no longer being updated, and all dated information has been removed.

Employer Relief Resources & Information

STATE OF OHIO BUSINESS SUPPORT

Information on services available through the state of Ohio can be found at the Ohio Ohio small businesses can learn more about these and other resources available through the Office of Small Business Relief and Development at Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov/BusinessHelp. For information about the grant programs listed below, click “Business and Nonprofit Support” once on the state’s page.

PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

The State of Ohio launched a new public awareness campaign aimed at spreading awareness of COVID-19 prevention measures that impact the well-being of Ohioans and the Ohio economy.

The first campaign, called “I Believe,” focuses on real Ohioans and the prevention measures they take to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The second campaign, called “Up to All of Us,” focuses on the importance of taking proper preventative precautions, such as maintaining social distance and washing hands, to get Ohioans back to work and Ohio’s economy working again.

UNEMPLOYMENT (ODJFS)

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has set up a special COVID-19 website to answer employer and employee questions about unemployment. Visit Site
ODJFS has set up an Employer Hotline to answer employer questions. Keep in mind, wait times might apply as the need is high. Employer line: 614-466-2319
Here’s a list of chamber members in the Employment & HR Services business category.

OHIO UTILITIES

Ohio utility companies are providing relief for business and residential ratepayers during the COVID-19 pandemic by developing payment options and ceasing disconnections for overdue customers.

If you have any questions or concerns about your utility connections, please contact your utility provider, or visit the PUCO website.

SHAREDWORK OHIO – ALTERNATIVE TO LAYOFFS FOR EMPLOYERS

Allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain their staff during times of reduced business activity. Under a SharedWork Ohio plan, employers reduce hours to avert a layoff. The participating employee works the reduced hours, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours. Read more.

OHIO TECHCRED PROGRAM
Please encourage employees to be trained during this downtime. The TechCred program will reimburse employers up to $2,000 per credential (cap of $30,000 per company). Trainings/credentials can be taken right away but the application needs to be completed before March 31. Learn more.

Chamber members: A recording of a recent webinar on TechCred is available to you in the Resources section of your Member Hub. Log in.

Federal Updates

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Treasury announced the re-opening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read the press release. Further information can be found on our ReOpen Dayton page.

Member-to-Member Resources

Coronavirus Communication for Leaders Cheat Sheet (From chamber member OneTeam Marketing Solutions)
Working from Home Tips (From chamber member OneTeam Marketing Solutions)
Tips for Working Securely from Home (From chamber member Modern Office Methods)
Chamber members: Check your Member Hub for special offerings during this time of crisis. Hot Deals and Member News postings. Log In/Create an Account

Downloadable Workplace Postings

Response Resources for Businesses

PANDEMIC GUIDANCE

The link above contains a brief outline of how to prepare before and respond during a pandemic by Ready.gov, official website of the Department of Homeland Security.

TRAVEL INFORMATION (CDC)

This page offers current travel warning, alert and watches, as well as destinations with risk of community spread.

COVID-19 SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS, CONTROL & PREVENTION

An overview of information for workers and employers about the evolving Coronavirus outbreak. Includes links to OSHA standards, control and prevention, by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Business Continuity Planning

BUSINESS PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLANNING CHECKLIST (HHS & CDC)

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed the following checklist for large businesses. It identifies important, specific activities large businesses can do now to prepare, many of which will also help you in other emergencies.

PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS PLANNING FOR U.S. BUSINESSES WITH OVERSEAS OPERATIONS (CDC)

The United States Government has created the following guide to help U.S. businesses with overseas operations prepare and implement pandemic business continuity. This is a list of suggestions and can serve as a starting point for developing a comprehensive plan. The checklist highlights actions applicable to businesses of all sizes, although each item does not necessarily apply to every overseas business.

LEGAL GUIDANCE ON WORKPLACE PANDEMIC PLANNING (EEOC)

This technical assistance document provides information about Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and pandemic planning in the workplace. It identifies established ADA principles that are relevant to questions frequently asked about workplace pandemic planning such as:

How much information may an employer request from an employee who calls in sick, in order to protect the rest of its workforce when an influenza pandemic appears imminent?
When may an ADA-covered employer take the body temperature of employees during a pandemic?
Does the ADA allow employers to require employees to stay home if they have symptoms of the pandemic influenza virus?
When employees return to work, does the ADA allow employers to require doctors’ notes certifying their fitness for duty?