May 15, 2020
You’re reading Gusto’s COVID-19 newsletter for small businesses. If you’d like these weekly updates in your inbox, you can subscribe here. New to Gusto? Try a free demo today.
Safety first
As businesses around the country start to reopen, you’ve probably wondered about how to do it safely. We got your back. A big question that we’ve been getting is, “Can I legally ask my employees if they’re COVID-free before rehiring?” The answer: Yes. Some states even mandate that you do so. This guide will help you think through how to rehire and reopen compliantly, including best practices for maintaining employee health and safety in your workplace.
Pandemic preparedness
Even as we start to reopen the economy, the fears of COVID surges in our communities continue to loom. Businesses need to be prepared for the crests and troughs of a post-COVID world where shutdowns can happen instantly. Here’s where to start: Create a comprehensive pandemic preparedness plan. The good news (if you can call it that) is that you’ve already thought through most of this with the current crisis. Now it’s time to document it and clarify any details you may have missed.
Stories of survival and hope
There’s nothing better than a story of pure grit and resilience. Grit and resilience—two words that most small business owners know very well. This is why we started the Small Business Stories project—an ongoing effort to chronicle how businesses are surviving, and, yes, even thriving, through this crisis. Two of our favorites:
- How a Seattle photo booth company pivoted to make gift boxes
- A nursing wear company that’s overcome supply chain issues to keep its team employed
We hope that these stories will provide lessons and resources for other businesses that may be facing similar challenges. You can submit a business to be spotlighted here.
Our top relief options for the week:
- Stacy’s Rise Project
- Created to help bridge the funding gap for female founders, Stacy’s Rise Project has been connecting and empowering women business owners for years. Stacy’s® is now offering 15 women the opportunity to make their dreams a reality with the latest iteration of the Rise Project.
- Deadline: June 1, 2020
- More Information
- Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund Application
- The SBGWC COVID-19 Fund will deploy resources to organizations that support Black girls and women in the south that may be experiencing financial crisis or uncertainty due to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Deadline: Grants awarded weekly April 1, 2020 – May 31, 2020.
- More Information
- Instrumentl COVID-19 Grants
- Grants for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving those impacted by the Coronavirus disease.
- More Information
- See more relief options
On our radar
- PPP changes trip up small businesses (The Wall Street Journal)
- Protections for renters during the coronavirus pandemic (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Explained [Webinar] (Gusto, Opportunity Fund, and Accion)
Want more small business news and resources? Check out past editions in our archive.
