The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting many aspects of our lives and businesses. We've complied a list of resources on this page to help you navigate the rapidly changing situation. If you have any questions, please reach out to your trusted HJI | BSG advisors.
Helpful Links
- Centers for Disease Control
- U.S. Department of State
- World Health Organization
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Directory of State Unemployment Websites and Contact Information
- Print Resources (Fact Sheets and Posters) from the CDC
- City of Madison COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard
COVID-19 Data Trackers
- Special Edition COVID-19 Tracker: 6-Month Review
- COVID-19 Data Tracker Update as of February 20, 2021
COVID-19 Impact Bulletins
- Vaccination Guidance for Employers
- Vaccination Willingness and Hesitancies
- Mental Health
- Testing 101
- Vaccination Progress
- Gaps in Care - Updated Review
- Leveraging Employee Assistance Programs
- Back to School?
- Mental Health Issues: An Emerging Concern from the Pandemic
- Gaps in Care: Impact of Delayed Care Due to Covid-19
Vaccine Information
- FDA and CDC Call for Pause on Distribution of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
- What You Need to Know About Your Vaccine Card
- Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Programs
- Debunking the Social Media Myth: Life Insurance and the COVID-19 Vaccine
- CDC Study Finds Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines 90% Effective in Real-world Conditions
- Getting Vaccinated Will Not Impact Life Insurance Policies
- What To Expect at Your COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment
- President Biden Directs States to Make All Adults Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine by May 1
- CDC Issues Long-awaited Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
- Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Hotline Now Available
- Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry
- COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Employers
- Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
- Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines - Infographic
- COVID-19 Vaccine Workplace Planning Checklist
- CDC Guidance for Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Programs
- CDC Updates Quarantine Recommendations for Vaccinated Individuals
- Three Ways to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams Infographic
- Communicating With Employees About COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
- COVID-19 Vaccination Side Effects Infographic
- What to Expect Handout From the CDC
- Resources: COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace
- Employer Overview of the COVID-19 Vaccines
- Fast Facts About the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines - Infographic
- COVID-19 Vaccine Myths - Infographic
- Gaps in Cost Sharing Protections for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Could Spark Public Concerns About COVID-19 Vaccine Costs
- EEOC Issues FAQs on Mandatory Vaccinations for COVID-19
- Plans Must Cover COVID-19 Vaccine Without Cost-sharing
- COVID-19 Impact Bulletin: Vaccinations - Who's Paying & Should Employers Mandate Them?
- FDA Panel Endorses Widespread Use of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
- CDC Approves Recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
- COVID-19 Vaccinations Arriving For the Holidays: What Employers Need to Know and Can Do
- Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Requirements
American Rescue Plan Act
- IRS FAQs on Premium Tax Credit Changes Due to the ARPA
- ARPA COBRA Subsidy FAQs
- Flow Chart - Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) | American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
- IRS Publishes Guidance for 2021 Employee Retention Credit
- DOL Issues COBRA Subsidy Model Notices, FAQs
- American Rescue Plan Changes to Employee Leave Under FFCRA
- Congress Passes the American Rescue Plan Act
- Overview of the American Rescue Plan
- Comparing the American Rescue Plan to Previous COVID-19 Relief Bills - Infographic
- 100% COBRA Subsidies Under American Rescue Plan Act
Face Mask Information
- Face Masks and Other PPE Treated as Deductible Medical Expenses
- Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Governor’s Subsequent Emergency Pandemic Orders Unlawful, Immediately Suspending Statewide Mask Mandate
- CDC Says Double-masking Offers Additional Protection Against COVID-19
- CDC Says Masks Protect Wearer From COVID-19
- The Importance of Cloth Face Coverings
- Face Mask Ordinances and the ADA
- Wisconsin Mask Requirement Effective August 1, 2020
- How To Wear a Face Covering (CDC Poster)
Employer Resources
- IRS Extends Time to Make IRA, HSA Contributions and File Forms 1040
- COVID-19 in Children and Teens
- Wisconsin Adopts Broad COVID-19 Civil Liability Immunity
- DOL Guidance on COBRA/HIPAA Outbreak Period Relief
- FSA Relief Authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act
- Attraction and Retention Challenges Amid COVID-19
- DOL Guidance on COVID-19 Relief for Employee Benefit Plans
- Preparing HR for Future Health Crises
- Dane County Public Health Order #13
- CDC Recommendations for At-home COVID-19 Testing
- President Biden Issues Executive Actions Addressing Health Care Access
- Exchange Special Enrollment Provided Due to COVID-19
- DOL Issues Guidance on Electronic Posting of Labor Law Notices
- President Biden Outlines National COVID-19 Strategy
- President Biden Calls for Reinstating and Expanding Mandatory Paid Leave As Part of COVID-19 Relief Package
- New COVID-19 Strain Spreading Across United States
- CDC Announces Shorter Quarantine Guidelines After a COVID-19 Exposure
- Dane County: Employer Notification of Employees with COVID-19
- CDC Modifies Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Employers
- Temporary Flexibility for I-9 Compliance Extended Through December 31, 2020
- CDC Urges Americans Not to Travel for Thanksgiving
- Riskiest Workplace Activities During COVID-19
- Celebrating Holidays Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Adjusting Paid Leave Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus
- HHS Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- COVID-19–Related Employment Lawsuits Are in Full Swing
- DOL Provides Enforcement Reprieve for Seasonal Establishments Coping with COVID-19
- States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus
- Time Tracking in the Time of COVID-19
- IRS Guidance on Premium Tax Credit Eligibility and COVID-19 Testing
- Upholding an Employer’s Reputation With Employee Safety Initiatives During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- EEOC Adds 18 New FAQs on Coronavirus and the ADA
- CDC Releases Guidance on Handling COVID-19 Policy Disputes With Customers
- EEOC Updates Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA
- States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus
- IRS Offers Guidance on COVID-19 Employee Leave-sharing Plans
- Unemployment Scams
- 4 Common COVID-19 Misunderstandings
- Beware of the Top 5 Employment Law Risks Due to COVID-19
- Unemployment Insurance Benefit Charge Relief Opportunity
- Employers Face Increase in COVID-19 Wrongful Death Lawsuits
- Emerging Trends in COVID-19 Workplace Litigation
- CDC Updates Guidance for Ending Home Isolation
- Participating in Virtual Career Fairs
- Employer Brand and COVID-19
- EEOC Updates Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA
- IRS Issues Guidance on Leave Donation Programs and COVID-19
- Tell the Truth When It Comes to COVID-19
- Permissible Employer Inquiries to Identify Employees at High Risk from COVID-19 Exposure
- Can Employers Restrict Travel by Employees?
- States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus
- When Duty Calls Your Employees: USERRA and COVID-19
- The Look-back Measurement Method and COVID-19
- Wisconsin Work-Share Program – An Alternative to Layoffs
- Conducting a Remote Layoff
- EEOC Releases Guidance on Workplace Reasonable Accommodations
- Checklist: Responding to a Positive COVID-19 Test
- Can Employers Exclude Employees Who Refuse to Return to Work from their PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation?
- EEOC Won’t Collect Employer EEO-1 Data in 2020 Due to Coronavirus
- Managing Your Post-coronavirus Reputation
- U.S. Department of Labor Publishes 11 New Translations of OSHA Poster To Help Prevent Workplace Coronavirus Exposure
- Wisconsin Work-Share Program
- IRS Section 139 Qualified Disaster Relief Payments and Coronavirus
- Agencies Extend Deadline to Pay COBRA Premiums, Extend Certain Other ERISA and Internal Revenue Code Deadlines Due to COVID-19
- Laws to Consider Before Taking Employee Temperatures
- Here Comes Mandatory COVID-19 Testing by Employers
- Updated COVID-19 Response Plan and Checklist
- How To Claim COVID-19 Tax Credits Via Payroll
- Questions and Answers About Dependent Care Accounts
- Consider the Americans with Disabilities Act During COVID-19 Emergency
- Be Aware of the Differences Between Federal and State Specific Lay-Off Regulations
- Wisconsin COVID-19 Response Bill
- Beware of COVID-19 Phishing Scams
- Interim Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
- Use This Smart Chart to Compare State & Federal Regulations Related to COVID-19
- Temporary Rules Now Apply to Hiring with the I-9 Form
- There is Still Time to Correct Mistakes in Your Leave Policy
- Essential Worker Employee Communications Letter
- DOL Clarifies Coronavirus Exemptions to Paid Leave Laws
- Comprehensive Employer Guide: Leaves of Absence
- IRS Issues Guidance on Tax Credits for Coronavirus Paid Leave
- Resources for State-Mandated Leave Programs
- Coronavirus and the Workplace: Compliance Issues for Employers
Supporting Employees During COVID-19
- Get to Know Your EAP - Infographic
- Encouraging Employees to Use Telehealth Services
- Supporting Employees During a Potentially Lonely Holiday Season
- Supporting Employees’ Financial Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Tips for Employers of Parents During the Pandemic
- Work-life Balance Considerations Post Coronavirus
- Managing the Mental Health of Returning Employees
- Methods for Supporting Working Parents
- Supporting Your Employees With Children When School Resumes
- 5 Ways Organizations Can Help Employees Shift From Fear to Resilience
- The Value of an EAP During Uncertain Times
- I’m Stressed Out! Can I Bring My Dog to Work?
- Recognizing and Addressing Employee Burnout During the Pandemic
Reopening/Returning to Work Resources
- Employer Guidance for Common Return-to-Work Concerns
- CDC Issues COVID-19 Testing Strategy Guidance for Workplaces
- 50-State Emergency Order Tracker
- Employer Use of Contact Tracing Apps
- Contact Tracing in the Workplace
- COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings
- Chart: Reopening Workplaces During COVID-19
- COVID-19 Contact Tracing In The Workplace
- Accommodating At-risk Employees Amid COVID-19
- CDC Activities and Initiatives for COVID-19 Response
- Reopening Resources from the CDC
- Reopening vs. the Risk of Infection
- Welcome Back to Work - Customizable Employee Packet
- Wisconsin Safety Council: 8 Step Guide to Keep Employees Safe
- Reopen Guidelines for Wisconsin Businesses
- Managing Higher Risk Employees When Reopening During COVID-19
- 50-State Emergency Order Tracker: Roadmap to Restart
- Guide to Creating a Return to Work Action Plan
- Addressing Employee Concerns About Returning to Work During COVID-19
FFCRA Information
- IRS Issues New FAQs on Tax Credits for FFCRA Leave
- Employers Must Report Pay for FFCRA Leave on W-2
- DOL Issues Two New Q&As About FFCRA
- IRS Updates FAQs on FFCRA Tax Credits
- DOL Revises FFCRA Regulations in Response to Court Decision
- DOL Q&As on Employee Leave Under the FFCRA
- DOL Issues New FAQs on FFCRA Leave and Return to School
- Federal Court Strikes Down Labor Department’s Limitations on Paid Sick and Extended Leave Benefits Under FFCRA
- DOL Issues Additional Clarification on FMLA, FFCRA, FLSA in COVID-19 Context
- DOL Issues Guidance on FFCRA Leave for Summer Camp Closures
- DOL Launches Employee Tool for Assessing FFCRA Leave Eligibility
- Temporary Worker FFCRA Leave Rights and Joint Employer Challenges
- Temporary Employees and the FFCRA
- DOL Now Fully Enforcing FFCRA Paid Leave Rules for Coronavirus
- Managing Notices Under FFCRA is Not The Same as FMLA
- DOL Issues Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave Notice
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Emergency Leaves of Absence Considerations for Policies and Forms
- Employee Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: What Employers Need to Know
CARES Act Information
- SBA Announces Simpler PPP Loan Forgiveness for Smaller Loans
- Senate Passes PPP Bill
- SBA Issues Two Additional Interim Final Rules
- SBA updates PPP "Good Faith Certification"
- IRS Reverses Course on Employee Retention Credit for Qualified Health Plan Expenses
- Thomson Reuters Has a Free Online Tool for SBA Loan Eligibility
- Non-Profit Organizations Have Special Concerns for Unemployment Compensation
- Employee Retention Tax Credits for Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus
- Q&A: The Employee Retention Tax Credit
- Unemployment Benefits for Coronavirus Under the CARES Act
- How to Determine Eligibility for $600 CARES Unemployment Benefit
- SBA Loans for Small Business – A Potential Help in Dark Times
- Coronavirus Emergency Loans - Small Business Guide and Checklist
- CARES Act Infographic
- CARES Act Impact to Employees with Student Loans
- Legal Update: CARES Act Expands Health Coverage Rules
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Passed into Law
Benefits Resources
- Federal Agencies Issue More FAQs on Coronavirus Related Changes for Health Plans
- 3 Tips for a Successful Virtual Open Enrollment – Video
- DOL Finalizes New Method for Electronic Delivery of Retirement Plan Disclosures
- Premium Credits Related to COVID-19: ERISA Fiduciary Rules
- IRS Relaxes Election Change, Other Rules for Cafeteria Plans and FSAs
- Do We Need a Plan Amendment for That?
- COBRA in the Time of COVID-19
- Carrier Premium Credits and ERISA Fiduciary Obligations
- COVID-19 Testing in Wisconsin Must Be Covered by Most Private Health Insurance
- Updating Health Plans for Coronavirus Changes
- Employee Benefits Issues When Implementing Employee Salary Reductions Due to Coronavirus
- Think Twice Before Offering Special Enrollment Due to COVID-19
- Self-Funded Plans: Announce Coverage for COVID-19 Testing with a Summary of Material Modification
- Updated: Two More States and the District of Columbia Introduce Mid-Year Special Enrollment due to COVID-19
- COVID–19 and Employee Termination and Benefits Consideration
- Benefits During Furlough and Leave
- Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications during the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
- Offering Telehealth to Employees Not Eligible for Group Health Plans
- Legal Alert: Information for Employers and Group Health Plan Sponsors on COVID-19
- Outreach Opportunity: Remind Employees to Check Their Dependent Care Elections
Business Insurance Resources
- OSHA Releases COVID-19 National Emphasis Program
- OSHA Form 300A Posting Requirements Begin Feb 1
- New OSHA Guidance to Prevent Viral Spread in the Workplace
- OSHA Enforcement of State Mask Mandate
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Face Coverings, Surgical Masks and Respirators in the Workplace
- Federal Bill Introduced for COVID-19 Business Interruption Insurance
- OSHA: Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019
- The Effects of COVID-19 on Executive Liability
- OSHA Guidance for Processing Facilities
- Illinois Commission Repeals COVID-19 Worker's Compensation Order
- U.S. Department of Labor Considers Employer’s Good Faith Efforts When Enforcing Compliance During Coronavirus Pandemic
- Wisconsin Law Extends COVID-19 Coverage to First Responders
- Illinois Worker's Compensation Commission Emergency Amendment
- OSHA Guidance on COVID-19 Recording
- OSHA Guidance Allows Alternatives in Light of N95 Shortage Due to Coronavirus
- Society Insurance Clients: Sales Reduction Credit for Restaurants and Bars
- Avoiding OSHA Complaints During COVID-19
- WCRB Issues New Class Code for COVID-19
- Expense Control During COVID-19
- Non-Owned Auto Insurance for Restaurants Offering Delivery During COVID-19
- Business Insurance Coverage and COVID-19
- OSHA Reporting Requirements for COVID-19
- Will Insurance Protect Your Business from the Impact of Coronavirus?
- COVID-19 & Workers Compensation – How Does that Work?
- Coronavirus supply chain losses could be tough to recover
Construction Industry Resources
- OSHA Issues Guidance to Help Construction Workers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Contractors: Confirm Your Paycheck Protection Program Decision
- Contractors: Plan Now for the Financial Future
- How to Handle a COVID-19 Exposure on the Jobsite
- Executive Order Alters Plan Submission Process for Wisconsin Contractors
- COVID-19 Checklist for Real Estate and Construction Projects
- COVID-19 Recommended Practices for Construction Jobsites from AGC Wisconsin
On Demand Webinars
- Preparing Your Business for Reopening After the COVID-19 Shelter From Home
- Critical Contingency Planning and Updating your Cleaning Protocols During COVID-19
- COVID-19 Impact on Employer Health Plan Cost
- Surviving and Thriving During COVID-19: Risk Management and Financial Best Practices for Contractors
- Calculating Qualified Health Plan Expenses
Remote Work Resources
- 5 Ways to Beat Work-from-Home Burnout
- Preventing Cyberattacks on Remote Employees
- 5 Ways to Manage Poor Workplace Performance Among Remote Workers
- DOL Issues Guidance on Tracking Hours of Work for Remote Employees
- Handling the Influx of Remote Work Requests
- Preventing Remote Work Time Theft
- Boosting Self-motivation for Remote Employees
- Winning Strategies For A Remote Workforce
- Sample Telecommuting Arrangement Announcement & Employer Checklist for Managing Remote Employees During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- 8 Steps for the Remote Worker Success During COVID-19
- Remote Work Resources Page
Personal Resources
Association Resources
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin
- Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin
- Bioforward
- Dane Buy Local
- Downtown Madison Inc.
- Middleton Chamber of Commerce
- Wisconsin Grocers Association
- Wisconsin Manufacturing Association
- Wisconsin Restaurant Association
- Wisconsin State Council SHRM
- Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association
