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COVID-19 Impact & USERRA

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SHARING FROM THE U.S. Department of Labor / Published April 21, 2020

During these challenging times, our nation’s Guardsmen and Reservists are answering the call to duty to protect the health and well-being of all Americans. We owe a duty to them to ensure full compliance with the employment and reemployment rights of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA)

The Veteran’s Employment and Training Service (VETS) interprets and provides guidance on USERRA and investigates complaints filed under this law. VETS offers the following frequently asked questions and answers:

Does this fact sheet create new USERRA rights and obligations in light of COVID-19?

No. The statute and regulations still govern USERRA rights and obligations. This factsheet addresses some scenarios that might arise from the application of USERRA in the context of this pandemic.

Does a member of the National Guard or Reserves who is called to active duty in response to the COVID-19 emergency have employment and reemployment protections under USERRA?
  • Yes, if called to duty under federal authority. National Guard or Reserve duty under federal authority (such as Title 10 or Title 32) is covered by USERRA.
    • National Guard duty under state authority, commonly referred to as State Active Duty, is not covered under USERRA. However, members of the National Guard serving on State Active Duty may have similar employment protections under state law and should contact the appropriate state office for assistance.
    • Note that the authority under which orders are issued can change, even in the course of a service member’s performance of service.
Can a service member be furloughed or laid off upon return from uniformed service?
  • Yes, if it is reasonably certain that he or she would have been furloughed or laid off had he or she not been absent for uniformed service.
May an employer delay a service member’s reemployment out of concern that the service member’s service in a COVID-19 affected area may have exposed him or her to COVID-19?
  • No. If the employee satisfies the prerequisites to reemployment, the employee should be promptly reemployed in the job position that he or she would have attained with reasonable certainty if not for the absence due to uniformed service.
    • Promptness generally depends on the length of time an individual was away, ranging from the next day after returning from duty, if the deployment was relatively short, to up to fourteen days in the case of a multi-year deployment.
    • When reemploying a service member who might have been exposed to COVID-19, an employer must make reasonable efforts in order to qualify the returning employee for his or her proper reemployment position. This can include temporarily providing paid leave, remote work, or another position during a period of quarantine for an exposed reemployed service member or COVID-19 infected reemployed service member, before reemploying the individual into his or her proper reemployment position.
Where to Obtain Additional Information:

Important USERRA-related resources and compliance assistance materials for employees and employers are available through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service website at www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra, which contains a USERRA elaws Advisor, FAQs, fact sheets, and links to the statute and implementing regulations. Our toll-free information and helpline, available 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, is 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365). The Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve also provides resources available at www.esgr.mil.

U.S. Department of Labor                             1-866-4-USA-DOL
200 Constitution Ave NW                              TTY: 1-877-TTY-5627
Washington, DC 20210

/Portals/13/USERRA-COVID-19-Impact.pdf

 

Virtual Cocktails With Friends & Family

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By Debbie Gregory.

LinkedIN Debbie Gregory VAMBOA VAMBOA Facebook VAMBOA Twitter

 

 

If you are working remotely for your company or a small business owner, you are probably having back to back work conference and video calls.   Perhaps it is time to take video conferencing from the workplace to reconnecting with friends and family.

We have been enjoying virtual cocktails and it is a new way to visit.   You also don’t have to worry about a designated driver or calling Uber or Lyft to drive you home.

Open a bottle of your favorite wine or mix a cocktail and enjoy catching up with those you care about and miss.  Leave your work behind and unwind a bit.   You can also enjoy snacks and make it more of a party.  This will lift your spirits more than you can imagine.

There are many services out there.  I have been using Zoom that offers a full-featured Basic Plan for free with unlimited meetings. You can try Zoom for as long as you like and there is no trial period. Your Basic plan has a 40 minutes time limit on meetings with three or more total participants.

Below are a few tips:

1. Pick the video chat platform that’s easiest for everyone.

The right chat platform will be different for different groups. I like Zoom because it’s user friendly and it’s easy to send invitations to anyone. The drawback to Zoom, though, is that the free version will only allow for a 40- minute group meeting. Google Hangouts, Facebook, and Skype are also viable options, and there are more. Try to select  whichever platform your most familiar with and is easiest for you.

2. Set a specific time and plan for a one-hour event.

When you go out for cocktails, it can last for hours but sitting in front of a computer or a smartphone looking at your friends is a different thing, and you’ll get tired of it more quickly. Also, you may have co-workers or friends who are unaccustomed to video chatting for fun and feel uncomfortable at the prospect. Limiting your encounter to an hour, at least the first time you do it, will make the whole thing less intimidating. You do not want to keep going until people are bored.  It’s much better to end when people are eager for more. That way, you can schedule another happy hour next week and everyone will want to come back.

3. Encourage everyone to bring a drink.

There’s something nicely communal about drinking together, even if you’re only doing it remotely and it is not alcohol.

4. Plan the conversation a bit.

There would be no need to do this at a real happy hour. But since people generally start out a bit uncomfortable and shy at a video chat get-together, you should plan to break the ice by leading the discussion if needed.  I strongly recommend that everyone leave politics at the door as we are all in overload already.      If there are people in the video chat who don’t know each other, make sure to begin the event by going through the list of participants and having people introduce themselves, saying a bit about who they are and what they do.

5. Make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute.

It’s nice to be the host.  It is important to listen and allow everyone to participate.   When a person speaks, they are on camera and no one should dominate this social hour.  So relax, enjoy hanging out and have fun.

 

And that’s it. Relax, enjoy hanging out with your tribe and have fun. You will not have a bar tab to settle.

SBA Loans – Are They Right for You?

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By Debbie Gregory.

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According to the U.S. Small Business Administration known as the SBA, there is currently one veteran-owned business for every ten veterans in the United States. Access to capital is still the biggest challenge for veteran entrepreneurs to start and grow their business. Veterans have proven to be successful business owners and with the help of a veteran business loan, they can often grow their company to higher levels and achieve greater success.

Right now, during the CoronaVirus Pandemic, the SBA is relaxing restrictions and offering better terms and in some instances without interest and/or forgiving loans.  Please check what is being offered at this time!

Additionally, if you are a veteran, how you apply for a small business loan is particularly important since veterans are provided special federal support programs that are not available to non-military personnel.  Because of this you need to consider your options carefully and look closely at your business history, credit score, revenue, overall financial health, and more.

Generally speaking, as a veteran, you would apply for a loan pretty much like anyone else would. You will need to collect together past financial statements, a well-thought out business plan, and other relevant business documentation. You will need a good credit history as well as strong finances to qualify.   Under normal circumstances, a poor credit history and weak financials will make it difficult to obtain an affordable interest rate on a small business loan.

 

The Small Business Administration (SBA):

Both the SBA.gov site and The Office of Veterans Business Development site provide entrepreneurial training programs for veterans. These programs teach you the basics of entrepreneurship, business financing, tips on how to write a business plan, and much more.

It is important to keep in mind that any loan you may receive from the SBA isn’t coming directly from the SBA. Instead, you are borrowing money from a traditional financial institution with the backing of the SBA.

While it does take quite a bit of time and resources, applying for the loan is actually the easy part. Choosing a loan that is the best fit for your needs is a lot trickier. Before you can make that decision, you will need to figure out exactly what your business needs are. What exactly do you need the money for?

  • Do you just need a safety net?
  • Are you investing in equipment to start, or grow, your business?
  • Do you need funds to order inventory?

Answers to questions like these will determine the type of loan that would be the best fit for your business. Take time to write out your own questions and answers.

 

What if you cannot get a loan?

If a loan isn’t the right fit for your business, consider other types of financing. There are many other options that could be a good fit, such as:

  • A line of credit
  • Business credit cards
  • Equipment financing
  • Invoice factoring
  • Merchant cash advances
  • and more

 

Veterans make up a sizeable number of small business owners in the U.S. Don’t let a lack of funding stop you from starting or growing your dream business.

 

Coronavirus Resources for Veterans

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By Debbie Gregory.

LinkedIN Debbie Gregory VAMBOA VAMBOA Facebook VAMBOA Twitter

 

Are you a Veteran looking for resources, information, and assistance during this pandemic? We have compiled a list of resources just for you. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 contact your local VA hospital immediately by phone. They will assist you further.

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association is working hard to provide you valuable and timely information.   We also want to say that we send everyone our heartfelt best wishes during this most challenging time in our history.  Stay well and check out our posts too on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/vamboa and FB:  www.facebook.com/vamboa.

STAY SAFE & WELL!!!!!

 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

The VA has their own dedicated website on the Coronavirus that includes links to resources as well as tips to remain healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visit https://www.va.gov/coronavirus

The VA also posts regular blogs that include really helpful information. Visit https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/?s=covid-19

 

U.S. Federal Government:

The U.S. Federal Government also has a dedicated website filled with the most up-to-date information and guidance on the Coronavirus. Visit https://www.coronavirus.gov/

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

The CDC’s website shows up-to-date information on the number of cases currently reported and gives guidance for protecting yourself from infection and what you should do if you, or a loved one, become sick. They also offer resources for traveling, schools, childcare, businesses, community, and more. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

The FDA’s website tracks the medical product and food supply chains for potential shortages and disruptions. The site also has information about ventilators, testing kits, monitoring vital signs, and more. Visit https://www.fda.gov/coronavirus

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture :

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s site has information about food safety as well as pet safety. Visit https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

 

Finances & Scams:

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Their scams range from robocalls, fake online stores, fake vaccines or medicines, and even fake officials. Worried about scammers? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a page on their website dedicated to helping people avoid coronavirus scams. Visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing

Another good place to look for information to protect your finances from scammers is The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau/s website includes information on how to handle consumer complaints, protecting your credit, dealing with debt, and much more. Visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus

 

Small Business Administration (SBA):

If your small business has been impacted by the pandemic, The SBA’s website is filled with information and resources to help you put together a plan to weather this, loans to help you get through the next few months, directories for people to partner with, counsel, mentor, or train, along with a wealth of other resources.

Even if you are self-employed, you may now be entitled to Unemployment Benefits so check your state and remember that the federal government may increase your state weekly benefits by another $600.    You probably need to file online and it takes time and patience but it will be a big help to you.

 

Housing:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website has helpful information for homeowner relief and HUD assisted residents. Visit https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus

 

Social Security and Medicare:

If you receive social security and need information on any potential changes please visit https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

If you receive Medicare and need information on any potential changes please visit https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus. Their site also includes information about testing, hospitalizations, and what is covered.

 

Individual States Department of Public Health:

Every U.S. state has its own Department of Public Health. If you need more information from your specific state please visit https://www.usa.gov/state-health and select your state to go to their website.

 

Blood Donations:

The American Red Cross is in urgent need of blood and platelet donations. They are urging all healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to give. Donating will help maintain sufficient blood supply levels and prevent shortages as the pandemic continues. Visit their website at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

FEMA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on our COVID-19 pandemic response. FEMA is aware that there is a lot of misinformation out there about COVID-19 and to help combat false information they have a rumor control page with the latest facts–versus myths–on the federal response. Visit https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-Rumor-Control

FEMA also has a page dedicated to how you can donate or volunteer, if possible. Visit https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help

 

Inspiration & Hope

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By Debbie Gregory.

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The next few months are going to be challenging for all of us but we can get through it together.

 

Please enjoy this wonderful rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” sung by Dr. Elvis Francois and accompanied by Dr. William Robinson.  Both of these physicians are from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  They performed this incredible gift after a hospital shift. Both are fifth-year medical residents with three months left to finish their program.

 

Dr. Elvis Francois is an Orthopedic Surgeon who grew up singing in his church choir as well as a few acapella groups. Dr. William Robinson is also an Orthopedic Surgeon licensed to practice medicine in Minnesota, Louisiana, and New York.

 

singing COVID doctors

 

This video will lift your spirits a bit and make you realize that we are all in this fight together… Thank goodness for our medical professionals, fireman, police, teachers, delivery people, grocery clerks, and so many others who are keeping us going.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZBW0ZQGmyM

 

As the two doctors in this video say ‘Music goes places that medicine can’t go.’ A message of peace, hope, and comfort during this difficult time.

 

Our CoronaVirus Playlist:

“Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weekend

“Don’t Stand So Close to Me” – The Police

“All by Myself” – Celine Dion (Eric Carmen)

“Virus Alert” – Weird Al Yankovic

“Out of Touch” – Hall & Oates

“Touch Too Much” – AC/DC

“Rocking Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu” – Huey “Piano” Smith

“You’ll Be Illin” – Run DMC

“I’m Not Sick, But I’m Not Well” – Blink 182

“St. James Infirmary” – Louis Armstrong

“You Give Me Fever” – Peggy Lee

“Lime in The Coconut” – Harry Nilsson

“Doctor! Doctor!” – The Thompson Twins

“Hot Blooded” – Foreigner

“Sick Again” – Led Zeppelin

“Somebody Get Me A Doctor” – Van Halen

“Remedy” – The Black Crowes

“The Cure” – Lady Gaga

“I’m Better” – Missy Elliot

 

Stay healthy and safe America.

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