COVID-19 for Businesses, Organizations and Employees

We often talk about “returning to normal” – reopening the doors to business and re-engaging with our customers.

• Vaccines keep people WORKING: They are proven to prevent severe COVID-19. Vaccines keep your team healthy – and working.
• Vaccines can make workers and customers HAPPY: This pandemic has taken a big toll on mental health. Vaccine provides reassurance that to hopefully alleviate some of the added stress the pandemic brought.
• Vaccines are good for SALES: As people begin to return to a new normal way of life and revisit their favorite places, knowing that the people who work at the establishments they frequent is reassuring.
• Vaccines are good for your BOTTOM LINE: So many businesses pivoted to accommodate the ever-changing world of the pandemic. It’s time to get back to the business you want to be in.

1. Consider accommodations for your staff (who are eligible) to get vaccinated: Vaccine appointments are given based on availability. Accommodate your staff for their vaccine appointment by giving them time away from work to be vaccinated (if necessary). Also become knowledgeable about potential side effects.

2. Schedule a Vaccine Conversation for your team: Contact the Health Department. Our vaccine specialists deliver informational talks across the county each day. Presentations are customized for language, culture and content.

3. Promote COVID-19 Vaccines at your business: Distribute vaccine information from the Health Department.

4. Share your work! Be sure to share your staff vaccination photos and tag us!

Materials For Your Workplace

• I got my vaccine! Stickers (Tip! Print on labels and distribute to vaccinated staff)
• Flyers (Tip! Choose topics that your staff are asking questions about)
• 'We Are Vaccinated Against COVID-19' Window Decal

Business Resources

Health Action Alliance offers tools and best practices to help businesses develop COVID-19 vaccine policy, educate and support workers, engage disproportionately impacted populations, and strengthen community vaccination. Businesses and employers of all sizes can immediately access free tools, resources, trainings and events.

Workers should follow basic actions that include: 

• Follow social distancing guidelines, staying six feet apart from other people. 
• Wear a cloth face covering in public when it’s difficult to stay six-feet apart from others. 
• Wash your hands and cover you cough and sneezes, along with these other simple actions. 
• Stay home if you’re sick.  
• Drive alone to work sites or parking areas — don’t carpool. 

Employees can file COVID-19-related health safety complaints with the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program.

Tips for Creating a Healthy & Safe Workplace

• Limiting Workplace Violence Associated with COVID-19 Prevention Policies in Retail and Services Businesses (CDC)

Unemployment Compensation

If you have lost employment and seek compensation you may apply online at the Virginia Employment Commission website or call the VEC Customer Contact Center by calling 1-866-832-2363, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. You must continue to file for unemployment compensation each week you are unemployed.

Have Questions About Employment Law/Rules?

The Virginia Employment Commission's Customer Self-Service is available for weekly claim filing and inquiries between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Monday through Friday). You can file a claim using the IVR by calling 1-866-832-2363 or file a weekly claim by calling 1-800-897-5630.

Virginia Career Works Centers

Virginia Career Works Centers, a  comprehensive system of employment and training services and resources, are available to job seekers and employers in Northern Virginia.

Services listed below can be accessed via web-based and telephone options:

• Tools, resources and assistance for job searches, interview preparation and career advancement.
• Access to a bank of online employment resources and education and training options.
• Workforce information and local labor market information.
• Career coaching.
• Live job-seeker webinars.

Contact the centers below Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.:

• Alexandria: 703-704-6286, DFSVCWAlexandria@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Annandale: 703-533-5400, DFSVCWAnnandale@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Reston: 703-787-4974, DFSVCWReston@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Fairfax: 703-324-7280, DFSVJC@fairfaxcounty.gov

For more information, visit our Department of Family Services webpage.

Are you waiting for your IRS payment? Check out the “IRS Get My Payment Tracker”: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

For Human Services support, the Fairfax County Human Services Resource Guide (HSRG) provides information regarding emergency food and other assistance.

• Additionally, call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880, TTY 711, for help, Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To apply for benefits like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, go to the Virginia Department of Social Services or call 855-635-4370; to renew your Medicaid by phone call 855-242-8282.

What Should I Know About Teleworking?

Virginia offers resources & recommendations regarding best practices for teleworking.

U.S. Department of Labor Sick Leave Guidance

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the second federal stimulus bill) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for COVID-19 related reasons. The Department of Labor has released guidance and FAQs to explain who is covered and for how long.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s August guidance clarifies when an employee may take family leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This guidance addresses issues related to the reopening of schools and the varying approaches school districts have taken with remote learning and staggered classes. See question #70.

At this time Fairfax County does not have an active grant program.

The PIVOT program has completed it grant cycle and no further funding is available. At this time we do not expect to have another direct grant program, the county is investigating another option to assist small businesses as they recover from the pandemic. This program will be called THRIVE and details are expected to be announced in the late spring of 2022. To receive information on this and other business opportunities you may sign up for the Department of Economic Initiatives newsletter here.

Prepare Your Workplace to Keep Your Employees Safe

The Health Action Alliance offers tools and best practices to help businesses develop COVID-19 vaccine policy, educate and support workers, engage disproportionately impacted populations, and strengthen community vaccination. Businesses and employers of all sizes can immediately access free tools, resources, trainings and events. New resources are being added regularly; watch for a new program for Employee Resource Groups and minority-owned business owners launching in early April.

Businesses should do their part to stop the spread of germs and protect employee health.

This flyer provides 6 simply ways you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Additional resources:

• The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published info on preparing workplaces for COVID-19.
  • OSHA flyer with information on how to keep you and your employees safe.
     
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers important guidance to businesses on how to reduce virus transmission among employees, how to maintain operations and keep workplaces healthy.
   
• Webinar: Keeping Your Workforce and Business Healthy During (and After) the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Whole Community Approach

Reduce the Risk of Airborne Disease Transmission

Wear a cloth face covering to protect yourself and others. 

 Improve your home or business air quality:

• Indoor air and coronavirus (EPA)
• How to improve ventilation (CDC) 
• Tips to make air in your home safer 

Employee/Employer Paid Leave, FMLA, and Other Wage Questions

U.S Department of Labor - Wage and Hour discusses common issues employers and employees face when responding to influenza, pandemics, or other public health emergencies, and their effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
 

There may be some other direct small business counseling options available from the organizations below. These organizations offer confidential, no-cost technical assistance and opportunities specific to your business needs. They also have information on potential grants, government programs and other funding options.

1. The Fairfax County Business Experience (BizEX) Partner is a free service for Fairfax County entrepreneurs who are seeking guidance regarding county permits and processes necessary to establish, evolve, or expand a business within the County.
2. The Community Business Partnership (CBP) is a non-profit organization working in collaboration with a number of local, regional and national organizations, educational, financial and support services to small businesses in Fairfax County. Sign up for information and counseling sessions .
3. The George Mason University Small Business Development Center (Mason SBDC) is available to assist businesses with questions and information regarding preparing and understanding what is needed for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection programs. They also are available to create strategies for businesses to move forward.
4. SCORE, a non-profit resource funded by the U.S. Small Business Association, offers free confidential business counseling via phone, email and a variety of video and chat services.

The Fairfax County Office for Children has a host of resources for Child Care providers and programs.

Visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/ofc-covid-19-updates