The Labor Department Wage and Hour Division has provided fact sheets for employers and employees, as well as FAQ, for navigating the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which takes effect April 1. The division plans on publishing a mandatory workplace poster for most employers this week, along with additional information. Full Story: Department of Labor (3/24),WWLP-TV (Springfield, Mass.) (3/25)
Recruiting & Retention
When employers use Zoom to issue layoffs The current work from home order has added a new layer of struggle to the layoff process as employers now must use virtual platforms to inform employees that they are being cut. A travel company used Zoom to inform workers they were being laid off and the video call quickly turned into a scene of panic, tears and chaos, said one former employee who was on the call. Full Story: Protocol (3/25)
The huge increase in telecommuting over the past couple of weeks creates a perfect storm of cybersecurity risks, writes Patrick Hopkins, noting that most corporations aren't using zero-trust approaches or well-implemented policies on data access. On the employee side, even those who have been trained in security practices are likely to be frazzled while working long hours in a home environment with multiple distractions, and the VPN servers they're depending on could be vulnerable to hacking. Full Story: SmartBrief/Technology (3/25)
The HR Leader
Employer-provided mental telehealth sees surge The coronavirus pandemic is creating a surge of employees utilizing mental health benefits, particularly with telehealth and mental health apps. Mindfulness and meditation app Headspace said users are completing calming meditations 13 times more often than in the previous month. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (3/24)
Editor's Note
A resource to help you navigate a changing world SmartBrief has created a twice-weekly publication dedicated to helping organizations navigate the uncertainty created by the coronavirus. If you're looking for solutions-oriented content, please sign up for SmartBrief's Special Report on Coronavirus here.
Sharing SmartBrief on Workforce with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.
Refer 10 new readers to receive one year of digital access to The New York Times. Experience groundbreaking reporting, commentary, documentaries and more.
