Employment Updates & Guidance

Workplace Health and Safety Guidance for Employees and Staff of Businesses

Beginning May 1, 2020, all Illinois businesses that have employees physically reporting to a worksite are REQUIRED to post in their place of business the “Workplace Health and Safety Guidance for Employees and Staff ” poster, which can be accessed here.

Alternative Occupancy Restriction for Essential Stores

Effective May 1, 2020, the new “stay at home” order added restrictions which affect essential stores. The essential order provided that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity set an alternative occupancy limit for essential stores. To learn more about capacity information, click here.

Unemployment Insurance Under the CARES Act

The CARES Act significantly expanded access to the unemployment insurance (UI) system for American workers who suffer job losses or reduced hours through no fault of their own. Learn more here.

BACP Provides Updates for Businesses

New Requirements for all Businesses to Protect Employees and Consumers

• All businesses are required to take the following steps to the greatest extent possible:
  • Provide employees with face coverings
  • Require that employees wear face coverings in circumstances where they are unable to maintain a six-foot distance at all times
  • Where work circumstances require it, provide additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Evaluate whether employees are able to work from home. This applies to all essential and non-essential businesses that are engaged in minimum basic operations. These requirements are in addition to existing requirements to:
    • Designate six-foot distances
    • Have hand sanitizer and sanitizing products available
    • Designate separate operating hours for vulnerable populations
    • Post online whether a facility is open and how best to reach the facility.xxx

New Requirements for Retail Businesses to Protect Employees and Consumers

In addition to the requirements outlined above, all retail businesses are required to take the following steps to the greatest extent possible:

• Cap occupancy at 50 percent of store capacity or occupancy limits
• Set up store aisles to be one-way where practicable
• Communicate with customers through in-store signage, public service announcements, and advertisements about the social distancing requirements
• Discontinue use of reusable bags

New Requirements for Manufacturers to Protect Employees
In addition to the requirements outlined above, all manufacturing businesses are required to take the following steps to the greatest extent possible:

• Stagger shifts
• Reduce line speeds
• Operate only essential lines, while shutting down non-essential lines
• Ensure that all spaces where employees may gather, including locker rooms and lunchrooms, allow for social distancing
• Downsize to the extent necessary to allow for social distancing

BACP has been and will continue to enforce the Stay at Home Order. Citations for businesses violating the order, including the social distancing requirements, can range up to $10,000 per offense. Please make sure to take the next few days to prepare your business to fulfill the extended Stay at Home Order’s modified requirements.

COVID-19 Guidance for Employer

As the coronavirus outbreak spreads around the world, employers must respond in rapid fashion and face a series of questions regarding the impact the virus will have on the workplace.

Congress passes legislation on expanding paid sick leave, FMLA