While many businesses struggle, businesses who do have the resources can help lessen the impact on their communities. Many employees have been impacted by COVID-19, resulting in an uncertainty of their work or personal life.  Employers can pay back those who’ve helped their businesses thrive, by providing benefits that continue to support their workforce.

Businesses that are in a position to do so can contribute to the community by helping their own employees in one or more of the ways:

• Continue to/or provide staff with healthcare benefits
• If there’s a reduction of hours – rotate staff out and disperse hours to minimize lay offs
• As many companies move to a fully remote workforce for the first time, provide digital tools like Skype, Zoom or Teams for staff
• Advance sick pay to new hires (make leave available on the first day of employment)
• Update sick leave policy to cover the most vulnerable employees, and other employees who might not normally have or be eligible for sick leave.
• Expand or provide mental health benefits for employees
• Change calls and meeting schedules to accommodate parents needing to homeschool children

In addition to the various ways businesses can help their employees, there are many external opportunities for businesses to help the community as well.

Businesses may be able to help the community by helping employees in the service industry directly impacted by the pandemic. For more information on helping this industry, click here.

Businesses may have the capabilities and desire to use their business infrastructure to make goods that will directly help the community. For more information on making goods to help the community, click here.

This page is intended to be a resource guide for businesses wishing to help the community. If you are the owner of a struggling business, please visit the Council’s COVID-19 Resource Guide.