Entrepreneurship @ BMCC – R. Shane Snipes, Deputy Chair, Coordinator & Faculty

10 Essential Job Skills You Gain As An Online Student

As you earn your degree and decide to study some classes online, you acquire some of the most sought-after skills in today’s job market.

There’s a significant benefit to pursuing your college degree and taking some classes online that may surprise you.

Sure, you probably chose BMCC for its reputation, flexibility and convenience – so that you could continue to work, and take care of parts of your life.

What you probably did not realize when you enrolled, however, is that a degree program with some online classes helps you strengthen fundamental job skills that employers, regardless of industry, seek in today’s job applicants. These are essential skills such as communication, teamwork and time management that hiring organizations are having a hard time finding even in otherwise qualified candidates.

Data supports demand for soft skills

Burning Glass Technologies, a leader in job market analytics, recently analyzed millions of job postings across the United States and identified 28 foundational, non-specialized skills that are requested by employers across industries. In addition to listing the skills, the report includes data about how difficult these skills are to find in the job market. “Employers appear to face real skill gaps in finding the baseline skills they need,” it states.

BMCC Business Management Deputy Chairperson, Dr. Shane Snipes, explains that soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and time management are fundamentals needed in any industry, at any given time in history, “in order to allow the technology of the time to be utilized to its fullest.” Companies today want you to know how have online meetings, share materials online, and much more.

And online students, he says, have an advantage when it comes to developing these skills.

“Online education puts the ownership of education into the hands of the student much more than a traditional classroom. Students must become self-starters in soft skill areas in order to succeed.”

Adaptability indispensable

“Since there is no more predictability in business – or employment, for that matter,” Snipes says, he believes that adaptability is the most important soft skill the contemporary workplace demands.

And who understands adaptability – and the need to shift gears as circumstances change unpredictably – better than a busy working adult enrolled in an online degree program?

Adaptability means changing old behaviors and embracing new ideas and ways of doing things. It means learning new digital tools for conducting online research or collaborating with other students.

That’s just for starters. Here are 10 additional skills that are in short supply in today’s labor market that you develop as an online student…

1. Communication skills

Without the face-to-face time with other students and professors that naturally occurs in on-ground classes, online students work hard to effectively communicate digitally, share information in nontraditional ways, listen and read carefully, and respond specifically and succinctly.

2. Organizational skills

For online students, organization is a way of life imperative to managing multiple assignments, courses and deadlines, in addition to work and family responsibilities. These students realize that organization is a mindset and a habit that enables them to focus on short-term goals.

3. Writing skills

Online courses are writing intensive, giving students the opportunity to strengthen critical writing skills every academic term. Since online students communicate extensively via email and online discussion boards, they gain an understanding of the nuances of digital communication, a critical asset in a today’s workplace.

4. Ability to meet deadlines

Online degree programs are not self-paced: courses include assignments with weekly deadlines. Similar to traditional semesters, online academic terms are not open ended; they have start dates, end dates and final exams. Successful online students must know how to meet deadlines.

5. Computer skills

Basic technical literacy is essential for just about any position in any industry. Clearly, since online students can navigate the online environment, they have foundational computer skills necessary for the job market. Working with other students and professors via videoconferencing, webinars, online discussion boards and other online communication and collaboration tools prepares online students for today’s technology-driven work environment.

6. Teamwork

One of the misconceptions about online learning is that students are isolated. Group projects are often part of the curriculum requiring students to leverage each other’s strengths as well as compromise and adapt to accommodate each other’s schedules and priorities.

7. Time management

There’s an old saying that if you want something done to ask a busy person. People with a lot on their plates know they must manage their time. Online students know how to make effective use of short blocks of time (like waiting in the car to pick up your child from school) to accomplish small tasks and how to save long blocks of time for more complex tasks.

8. Self Starter

Online education puts more responsibility on the student. Online students must take charge of their own learning, staying on top of assignments without the structure of a traditional classroom to guide them. Self-motivation is the hallmark of successful online students.

9. Research skills

By learning about traditional and non-traditional resources, how to identify and state a problem clearly and concisely, and how to go beyond simple Google searches and use advanced featuers when digging for information, online students develop strong research skills that prepare them for the workforce.

10. Problem-solving skills

The responsibilities associated with the multiple hats every online student wears – student, parent, employer, spouse, son or daughter – create challenges both large and small with daily opportunity to apply problem-solving skills. Two of those skills, in particular, resiliency and perseverance, define adult online students.

Demonstrating soft skills

From writing to research, teamwork to organizational skills, with each academic term you complete, you strengthen skills that are in demand across every occupation. The key is to be able to demonstrate these skills on your resume, in a cover letter or in a job interview.

For example, asked to describe your ability to meet deadlines under pressure?

Explain how you completed a research paper while studying for final exams and tending to an ill parent or child.

Need to give an example of teamwork?

Describe how you learned to collaborate with other online students across time zones and work schedules on group projects.

“I think soft skills are so hard to find because the last 20-30 years of socialization and communication have changed more quickly and more dramatically than any other time in history,” says Snipes. “And now we are experiencing the biggest divide ever in the workplace.”

But it’s a divide that you, as a graduate of an online degree program, will be able to bridge.

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Community-First Entrepreneurship

February 24, 2023 / Leave a comment

Community-first entrepreneurship is an approach to building an organization (business) that prioritizes the needs and well-being of the community it serves. This model of entrepreneurship is characterized by a deep commitment to community engagement, collaborative decision-making, and social impact. Rather than focusing solely on generating profits, community-first entrepreneurs prioritize building relationships and creating social value.

In practice, community-first entrepreneurs work closely with members of the community to identify needs, co-create solutions, and build strong, long-lasting relationships. They strive to create businesses that are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of the community, rather than imposing their own vision from above. This approach can lead to more equitable and just outcomes, as well as stronger, more resilient businesses that are better able to weather challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.

Some key strategies for community-first entrepreneurship include:

Building strong, collaborative relationships with community members, including customers, partners, and stakeholders.
Prioritizing the creation of social value, such as improving health outcomes, reducing environmental impact, or promoting economic development.
Co-creating solutions with the community, rather than imposing preconceived solutions from above.
Measuring success in terms of both financial returns and social impact.
Staying responsive to the changing needs and priorities of the community over time.

Overall, community-first entrepreneurship represents a shift away from the traditional, profit-driven model of entrepreneurship, and towards a more collaborative, community-focused approach. It can be a powerful way to build businesses that are not only financially successful, but also deeply rooted in the needs and values of the communities they serve.

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Research Adaptation Strategy for the Pandemic Era

January 31, 2023 / Leave a comment

Citizen Entrepreneur Explorer Program (CEEP) adapted to the current pandemic challenges like social distancing, social anxiety of meeting new people, and video call fatigue.

12 Strategies for Conducting Virtual Field Interviews

CEEP will not let the inability to travel deter one from field research. With the right adjustments, we will conduct interviews over video calls that are as effective as in-person conversations. These guidelines, initially developed by the Harvard Business School Case Writing & Research Group, are a great place to start. These have been adapted for CEEP.

Ask interviewees if they consent to the conversation being recorded. Let founders know that you are interviewing them for the purposes of developing a research and that you’re seeking their candor. Start by putting them at ease: set expectations that they will have the opportunity to review all quotes prior to publication.
Practice online social skills. Train students on how to put interviewees at easy early in the coursework for the researching-learning process. Offer them practice with each other and use other tools to warm up contacts (see #11)
Limit capacity. Zoom makes it easier to have many people join the conversation—be sure to ask yourself, “How many attendees is too many?” If the interviewers outnumber the interviewees, interviewees might feel overwhelmed. At the very least, suggest that some people on your team turn off their videos.
Plan for a slower process. Use fewer interview questions or send questions ahead of time. Expect that there may be technical issues and that lag time may increase interruptions. If multiple interviewers are involved, coordinate an approach for asking questions to avoid potential interruptions.
Build in breaks. When coordinating back-to-back interviews, allow time for breaks between calls. You will want to stand up and stretch, and connect with your colleagues on their impressions of previous interviews. Allow time to strategize and adjust for your next call.
Maintain professionalism. Dress as you would when traveling for a field visit. Make sure the video background (real or virtual) is professional and limit interruptions as best you can.
Remain flexible. You will find that virtual interviews may be easier to schedule, but they’re also easier to cancel. Leave time for rescheduling the interview if the need arises.
Be comfortable offering technical support. Get familiar with coaching interviewees on how to navigate Zoom—particularly if you are using screenshare or displaying documents. Offer advice to help interviewees configure their set up (distance, light, sound, etc.), particularly for video recordings.
Accept awkwardness. It is often more difficult to read social cues and body language virtually, especially when many people are on a call. Some people may be less talkative or comfortable on screen than they are in person, and the usual tools of connection, such as small talk, are harder to use. However, if things just are not working…
Bring the phone call back. Some interviewees may just not be comfortable on screen. Don’t be afraid to suggest a voice-only phone call—Zoom isn’t always necessary.
Warm the community up. Utilize surveys or pre-surveys as a starting place to gather overall data. This can give you a targeted list for future research by other CEEP students.
Define the specific community well. Work closely with business groups in specific neighborhoods to partner for this research. Make it clear that the organization is helping student as well as it could be an opportunity to understand the local businesses better.
Offer win-win scenarios. When appropriate offer general overview data summaries that can be helpful for the neighborhood business associations. This can create a win-win scenario and give students access to more businesses for initial contact.
Think community first. Frame interactions as a community partnership for the small business, associations and other stakeholders who may help with answering the research questions posed by the students.

During these challenging times, all businesses are trying to figure out how to keep their customers and connect to new markets. Some of the research offered by students with their questions can help with this. Teaching the students about adapting their learning to current situations is another type of skill for them to practice. The pandemic is here so keeping the knowledge expanding around entrepreneurship is essential right now. The discovery process of the BMCC CEEP students will make an important statement about community involvement and neighborhood awareness.

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Is College for a Job or to Explore One’s Self

January 5, 2023 / Leave a comment

Are you a student at a college wondering how to navigate this ever-changing world of education? Are you looking for ways in which to make the college experience more meaningful for students? If so, then this post is for you! Here, we’ll delve into the complex question of why attending college isn’t just about getting a job – it’s about exploring one’s self. With the rising cost of higher education and increasing competition in the job market, many students are seeing their educations as nothing more than a means to an end – but there are much more profound reasons college should be considered beyond just employment opportunities. So take some time with us as we explore what purpose higher learning really serves and discover why it shouldn’t be limited only to gaining a degree or making money.

There are more profound reasons to go to college than just getting a job or making money.

The reason to go to college is not just to get a job or make money. While those may be some of the benefits, there are other reasons that are just as important, if not more so. College can provide you with a sense of community and a place to learn and grow. It can also give you the opportunity to explore new interests and meet new people.

Sure, you can get all of that from other places, but college offers something unique that you can’t find elsewhere. It’s a place where you can really focus on your education and your future. You have the opportunity to take classes that interest you and explore different career options. And when you graduate, you’ll have a diploma that proves you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the real world.

So don’t listen to anyone who tells you that college isn’t worth it. The truth is, it’s one of the best investments you can make in your life.

Importance of self-exploration and how college provides a unique opportunity for students to do this.

Self-exploration is incredibly important, and college provides a unique opportunity for students to do this. College is a time of transition, during which young adults are exploring their identities and trying to figure out what they want in life. This process can be difficult and confusing, but it’s also a time of growth and exploration.

One of the best things about college is that it’s a place where students can explore different academic and extracurricular interests. Students can try new things and figure out what they’re passionate about. They can also meet new people and develop relationships with like-minded individuals.

College is also a time for self-reflection. Students can examine their beliefs and values, and ask themselves important questions about their lives. This process can be challenging, but it’s also beneficial. By thinking about these things, students can start to form a plan for their future.

Ultimately, self-exploration is an essential part of the college experience. It allows students to grow and learn more about themselves. It’s also a way to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

Examples of how the college experience can be more meaningful for students beyond just attending classes and getting a degree.

One of the many benefits of attending college is the opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities. These activities can be a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and explore your interests. They can also help you make the most of your college experience by providing opportunities to develop relationships with faculty and staff, explore career options, and get engaged in your community.

For example, I’m involved in the music department at my school, and it’s been a great way to meet new people and learn about different types of music. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform in front of large audiences, which has been a great experience. I would never have had that opportunity if I hadn’t gone to college.

I also recommend getting involved in student government or other political organizations on campus. These organizations can give you a chance to learn about the political process and get involved in your community. They can also help you develop leadership skills that will be useful in your future career.

In short, there are many ways to make the most of your college experience beyond just attending classes and getting a degree. Get involved in extracurricular activities, get engaged in your community, and explore your interests. You’ll be glad you did!

Importance of having a sense of purpose in life and how college can help provide this.

When it comes to having a sense of purpose in life, college can be a huge help. This is because going to college provides an opportunity to explore different interests and figure out what you want to do with your life. It can be tough trying to figure out what you want to do when you’re not sure what you’re interested in, but college can give you a chance to try out different classes and clubs and see what you like. Once you have a better idea of what you want to do, you can start focusing on pursuing specific goals.

Having a sense of purpose is important because it gives your life meaning and direction. It helps you stay motivated when things get tough, and it gives you something to look forward to. When you know what you’re working towards, it’s easier to stay focused and stay on track. College can help provide this sense of purpose by giving you the opportunity to discover your passions and learn more about what’s available to you. You’ll also meet new people who might have similar interests and can help support you along the way. So if you’re feeling lost or unsure about what you want to do with your life, don’t worry – college can help point you in the right direction.

Emphasizing that there are many benefits to going to college beyond just employment opportunities and that it is important for students to explore all that higher education has to offer.

In addition to the many benefits of employment opportunities, higher education offers students a chance to explore many other areas that can benefit their lives. College provides students with the opportunity to learn about new subjects, meet new people, and travel to new places. These experiences can help broaden a student’s horizons and help them grow as a person. Additionally, college can be a time for students to figure out what they want to do with their lives. They can try out different majors and careers and see what fits best with their interests and goals. Overall, there are many reasons why students should explore all that college has to offer. It is an important time in their lives where they can learn and grow in many different ways.

College provides students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop a sense of purpose, and gain the skills they need to be successful in life. While many students choose to go to college primarily for employment reasons, there are much more profound reasons to pursue higher education. College is unique in that it allows students the time and space to discover who they are and what they want out of life. For many people, this period of self-exploration can be invaluable.

Ultimately, college will lead to a better paying career than before you started. We can think about courses and college as a process, not just an outcome. You shouldn’t be thought of as widgets being molded for a job, but instead a human discovering their potential.

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Find Your Passion and Become an Entrepreneur

January 4, 2023 / Leave a comment

Everyone has something they are passionate about doing. It could be anything from graphic design to cooking. Finding your passion is the first step towards becoming an entrepreneur, but it’s not always easy to find your true passions. Here are some tips to help you identify what makes you passionate and turn that into a successful business.

Do Your Research
Before you can even begin to think about becoming an entrepreneur, you need to do some research. What kind of businesses are out there? What type of companies and services do people need or want? Spend some time researching the market, reading up on industry trends, and getting a feel for what kind of business would be the most successful in your area.

Find Your Niche
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to find your niche. Think about what sets you apart from other entrepreneurs in your field and how you can use that to your advantage. Do you have a unique skill or experience that can set you apart from the competition? Are there any specific products or services that only you can offer? Identifying your niche will help make sure that your business stands out from the crowd and gives customers a reason to choose you over someone else.

Make Connections
Networking is essential when it comes to being an entrepreneur. You need to make connections with other entrepreneurs in order to grow and succeed in business. Reach out to mentors who can provide guidance and advice based on their own experiences as entrepreneurs. Make sure that you also connect with potential customers so that they know who you are and what products or services you offer. Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are great tools for connecting with fellow entrepreneurs as well as potential clients.

Conclusion
Finding your passion is just one step towards becoming an entrepreneur but it’s an important one! Take some time to reflect on what makes you passionate and how that could translate into a successful business venture. Once you’ve identified what sets yourself apart from other entrepreneurs, start researching potential niches, making connections with mentors and potential customers, and get ready for success! With hard work, dedication, and determination anyone can become an entrepreneur—all it takes is finding something that inspires passion within them!

Come study & practice entrepreneurship at BMCC

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Opening a Salon or Spa

May 7, 2021 / 1 Comment on Opening a Salon or Spa

Nearly all of the steps below are the same as those taught in SBE100: Entrepreneurship at BMCC. You can now apply those skills. Take what you have learned and it will give you the detailed help you need to open a spa or salon. Need a mentor? Join SkysTheLimit.

Every step below is covered in detail in the SBE100 class and in Heidi Neck’s textbook which is part of the course.

Start a nail salon by following these 9 steps:

You have found the perfect business idea, and now you are ready to take the next step. There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. We have put together this simple guide to starting your nail salon. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly, and legally compliant.

Check out our How to Start a Business page.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What are the costs involved in opening a nail salon?

Most nail salons are at least 1,000 square feet, and building out a salon typically costs between $75 and $125 per square foot. This comes to a total build-out cost of $75,000 to $125,000 for a 1,000-square-foot salon.

Business owners who are looking to reduce the startup costs for a nail salon may be able to purchase used equipment from a previous salon owner, or even lease space that has previously housed a salon. Finding a location where a salon closed will greatly reduce buildout costs.

Alternatively, business owners might be able to find a location where a property owner will build to suit. In build-to-suit agreements, property owners usually build a facility to the tenant’s specifications, and the tenants agree to a lease.

What are the ongoing expenses for a nail salon?

The ongoing expenses for a nail salon business include supply costs, employee’s wages (whether salaries or commissions), taxes, rent, maintenance on equipment and insurance. Supply costs are usually between 2 and 8 percent of sales.

Who is the target market?

A nail salon business’ ideal customer is someone who cares about their appearance, appreciates fashion and has some discretionary income. Such a person is likely able and willing to spend money to make their nails look good. Most salons’ customers are primarily women, but salons also serve men.

How does a nail salon make money?

A nail salon makes money by charging customers for manicures, pedicures and similar treatments. Some also sell premium nail care products.

How much can you charge customers?

Nail salon businesses offer a number of different nail services. Manicures typically range between $15 and $25, and pedicures are usually between $25 and $45. Other major treatments include:

Full gel sets ($45 to $75)
Full acrylic sets ($30 to $60)
Silk nails ($10 to $15)

Fillers, polishes and repairs are needed between full sets. These kinds of services range from $3 (for some repairs) to $30 (for gel polishes).

How much profit can a nail salon make?

A single nail salon business might bring the owner between $40,000 and $75,000 each year. The business model is easily scalable, though. Some nail salon owners have lots of locations and are millionaires.

How can you make your business more profitable?

A nail salon business can increase its revenue by upselling customers with additional services and selling premium nail care products. Since salons already use high-end products, it’s easy to sell these to customers who want to take better care of their nails at home.

Check out our Nail Salon Business Guide!

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Nail Salon Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

Your state’s business records
Federal and state trademark records
Social media platforms
Web domain availability.

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How Much Time Should I Work in One College Class

January 22, 2021 / 4 Comments on How Much Time Should I Work in One College Class

Online learning requires organization and self-discipline. You may have to fit study around work and family. You have to set your own schedule and make sure you get assignments in on time.

If you are enrolled in an asynchronous program there is no designated class time to prompt you to study and stay on track. If you’re in a synchronous program you will have set class meeting times to help guide your time management.

How much time you’ll need to commit to coursework for online degree programs will depend on whether you are pursuing an online undergraduate degree, or an online graduate degree.

Online Undergraduate Degree Coursework

Most college courses are 3 credits. Traditionally in 3-credit face-to-face undergraduate courses you are in class 3 hours per week. You should probably allow 3 hours per week to read/listen to the online content for each course you take. This does not include offline classwork.

Weekly to daily: For each course, you should probably estimate:

HYBRID: 2 hours per week reading/watching the content online and/or 1.15 hours of live course interactions on video (in Zoom or other video chat)
or ONLINE: 3 hours per week reading/watching/listening to content or interacting on your own
4-6 hours doing the other related activities, worksheets, readings, writing, etc.
Total: 8-9 hours per course per week
Or a little more than 1 hour per day

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10 Commonly Asked Coronavirus Small Business Loan Questions

April 2, 2020 / 2 Comments on 10 Commonly Asked Coronavirus Small Business Loan Questions

Your most commonly asked questions about the SBA loans being offered to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic — answered.

From US Chamber of Commerce – By: Jeanette Mulvey,

person typing on laptop — Getty Images/fizkes

We’ve been getting lots of questions about the small business loans available to businesses struggling during the coronavirus outbreak. Here we answer the most common questions we’ve gotten. After reading, consider going here for more resources:

National Small Business Town Hall in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Inc. There are lots of questions answered in this very informative town hall.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Emergency Small Business Loan Guide.

10 Common Coronavirus Small Business Loan Questions

1. What loans are available to help small businesses during Coronavirus?

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
The Paycheck Protection Loan (Part of the CARES Act).

2. How do I get these loans?

Apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan directly from the SBA here.
Paycheck Protection Loans are government-backed but will come from private banks. You should inquire at your local bank about these loans. The Treasury Department has just released the loan application. You can see it here. You will still need to apply for the loan at your local bank. This is just the application.

3. How much can I borrow?

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the SBA can be up to $2 million working capital for up to a 30-year term at 3.75% (2.75% non-profits). Not everyone will qualify for that amount.
The Paycheck Protection Loans can be for 2.5 months of average payroll or $10 million — whichever is less.

4. Do I need to repay these loans?

You must repay the Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the SBA. Payments can be deferred for one year after the origin of the loan.
All or some of the Paycheck Protection Loan may be forgiven (converted into a grant). There are specific requirements about how you spend the loan and if you continue to employ your workers in order for it to be forgiven. Read them here.

5. What about the $10,000 emergency grant I’ve heard about?

The SBA is offering to advance businesses a $10,000 grant that does not need to be paid back. That grant will be paid quickly — in as little as three days.
You can apply for that $10,000 grant as part of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan process. If you are awarded the $10,000 emergency grant, you will not have to pay the grant (just the grant) back. You will still have to repay the rest of your SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

6. Can self-employed workers and freelancers apply?

Paycheck Protection Loans are available to 501(c)(3)s, self-employed, sole proprietors and independent contractors.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses and non-profits (including faith-based) with fewer than 500 employees, sole proprietors and independent contractors.

7. Can you apply for both loans?

Yes. You can apply for and receive both loans.

8. Do I need good credit to qualify for these loans?

The Paycheck Protection Loan requires no collateral and no personal guarantee.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loans are given based on credit scores. No tax returns are required. You can borrow up to $200,000 without a personal guarantee.

9. What if I’ve already fired or laid off my employees? Do I still qualify for a Paycheck Protection Loan?

Your loan may be forgiven if you bring back employees and restore wages generally within 30 days and maintain them through June 30.

10. My bank doesn’t seem to know anything about the Paycheck Protection Loan. Now what?

Banks are currently working out the details but are expected to be ready by April 3. The Treasury Department has released more details on the loan here. You can also view the application here. You will still need to apply through a private bank.

Coronavirus Guide for Small Businesses

CO— is working to bring you the best resources and information to help you navigate this challenging time. Read on for our complete coronavirus coverage.

Coronavirus Small Business Guide

For more resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

Check out the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Loan Guide.
To help you manage your business through the coronavirus crisis, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a toolkit for businesses and a customizable flyer for businesses to communicate their coronavirus efforts to customers.
For more information pertaining to your specific location, you can find your local Chamber of Commerce here.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has created a full list of programs providing financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. You can find that here.

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CORONAVIRUS SBA LOAN OPTIONS: PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM AND ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS

April 1, 2020 / 1 Comment on CORONAVIRUS SBA LOAN OPTIONS: PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM AND ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS

Updated – Feb 1, 2020 *from SBA.gov directly

President Trump signed into law the CARES Act, which provided additional assistance for small business owners and non-profits, including the opportunity to get up to a $10,000 Advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). This Advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven.

If you wish to apply for the Advance on your EIDL, please visit www.SBA.gov/Disaster as soon as possible to fill out a new, streamlined application. In order to qualify for the Advance, you need to submit this new application even if you previously submitted an EIDL application. Applying for the Advance will not impact the status or slow your existing application.

Also, we encourage you to subscribe to our email updates via www.SBA.gov/Updates and follow us on Twitter at @SBAgov for the latest news on available SBA resources and services. If you need additional assistance, you can find your local SBA office and resource partners at www.SBA.gov/LocalAssistance. If you have questions, you may also call 1-800-659-2955.

Webinar recording of Small Business COVID-19/Coronavirus covering the basics from the Small Business Administration (SBA)

UPDATE April 1:

The paid leave requirements introduced in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act—emergency paid sick leave and emergency paid family leave—go into effect TODAY, April 1.

A few things to know:

The law includes 2 weeks of paid sick leave and up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Employers with fewer than 500 employees are required to offer these benefits until December 31, 2020.
You may not be required to offer these benefits if your business has fewer than 50 employees and providing paid leave would “jeopardize the viability of your business.”
You also may not be required to provide the leave if you’re an emergency responder or health care provider.
You are required to post or share electronically the FFCRA poster.

Be sure to check out our blog post on the FFCRA to learn more about the requirements and get answers to questions you may have about the new legislation.

Updated – March 31, 2020 *from www.markspaneth.com*

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act (CARES Act) contains a substantial amount of law changes, including changes to Small Business Administration (SBA) lending programs. Enhancements to existing SBA loan programs include forgivable loans administered through the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). Eligible businesses and non-profits may apply for loans under either or both programs.

PPP Summary

The PPP is an extension of the SBA Section 7(a) program. Any small business (generally a business with less than 500 employees) can apply for loans up to the lesser of 2.5x their average monthly payroll costs or $10 million. Loan proceeds must be used to pay for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent or utilities and are made on a non-recourse basis with no personal guarantees. The interest rate is capped at 4% and the repayment term is for a period of up to 10 years. Payments may be deferred for one year. Businesses are also eligible for tax-free forgiveness of some or all of the principal amount borrowed if the loan proceeds are used for qualifying expenditures during the eight-week period following the loan funding date. However, businesses that receive loans and later cut back on workforce levels or gross payroll after February 15, 2020 are only eligible for limited forgiveness (pursuant to certain formulas) unless they restore their current workforce levels and gross payroll to pre-COVID-19 emergency amounts by June 30, 2020.

EIDL Summary

The existing SBA EIDL program has been liberalized. More small businesses may apply for loans of up to $2 million, depending on economic damages and the ability to repay. The interest rate is capped at 4% and the repayment term is for a period of up to 30 years. Small (less than $200K) loans are also available without the need for personal guarantees, and applicants are eligible to receive advances requiring no repayment of up to $10K. While EIDL loans are not subject to forgiveness, they do present an additional potential source of funds for businesses that are struggling through the current crisis, and loan proceeds (other than advances) may be used for expenses other than payroll, interest, rent or utilities.

Comparison of SBA Business Loan Program to Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Loan Type	SBA Business Loan	Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Maximum Loan Amount	Lesser of $10M or 2.5X average monthly payroll costs	Up to $2M, dependent on the applicant’s demonstrated economic injury and ability to repay
Use of Proceeds	Restricted to certain payroll, rent, interest and utility costs	Unrestricted, although “advances” are subject to limits
Eligible for Forgiveness	Yes	No
Personal Guarantee Required?	No	No for loans up to $200,000, otherwise yes.
Recourse	No, unless proceeds used for the non-permitted purpose	Yes
Interest Rate	Up to 4%	Up to 4%
Maturity	Up to 10 Years	Up to 30 Years

Currently, only applications for EIDL loans are available through the SBA’s website or by mail. Paycheck Protection Program loan application guidance is expected soon for both borrowers and third-party lenders. Before making any decisions, interested borrowers should understand the scope and purpose of these loans.

Below are more details relating to both the PPP and EIDL loans.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

Eligible Loan Recipients

Eligible loan recipients include businesses, self-employed individuals, independent contractors or non-profits who employ no more than 500 employees (includes full-time, part-time or “other” basis) or for those businesses that comply with the SBA Small Business Size Standard for the NAICS code in which the business operates.

For businesses with a NAICS code that begins with 72 (accommodation and food services, such as hotels and restaurants), the 500-employee limitation is measured on a per-location basis. For example, a hotel chain that has 1,000 employees who are spread out over 10 locations with no more than 500 employees at any one location may participate in the program. Also, the affiliation rules that would otherwise require commonly controlled businesses to combine the number of employees are waived for these businesses as well as any franchise that is assigned a franchise identifier code.

Maximum Loan Amount

The maximum loan amount is the lesser of 2.5X the enterprise’s average monthly “payroll costs” incurred during the previous 12 months before the date the loan is made, or $10 million.

Permitted Uses of Loan Proceeds

The PPP imposes restrictions on the use of loan proceeds. Loan proceeds may be used for the following purposes:

Payroll costs
Costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during periods of paid sick, medical or family leave, and insurance premiums
Employee salaries, commissions or similar compensations
Payments of interest (not including pre-payment penalties) on any mortgage obligation
Rent
Utilities
Interest on any other debt obligations that were incurred before the one-year period beginning with the loan date

Payroll Costs

Identifying payroll costs will help borrowers calculate loan amounts, evaluate permitted uses and ultimately determine how much of the PPP loan will be forgiven.

Payroll costs include:

Salaries, wages, commissions and similar compensation
Cash tips or equivalents
Vacation, parental, family, medical or sick leave
Severance pay
Group health care benefits
Retirement benefits
State or local taxes assessed on the compensation of employees (e.g., state unemployment and other payroll-based taxes)
Payments of any compensation to a self-employed individual that are considered earnings from self-employment and do not exceed $100,000

Payroll costs do not include:

Compensation of an individual employee in excess of an annual salary of $100,000, as pro-rated for the one-year period up to the loan date
Federal payroll taxes (FICA, Medicare, FUTA)
Compensation of any employee whose principal residence is outside of the United States
Qualified sick and/or family leave wages for which a credit is allowed under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Non-Recourse Nature of Loans

Loans made under the program are non-recourse against any shareholder, partner or member of an eligible recipient unless loan proceeds were used for a non-permitted purpose. No owner of a borrower is required to personally guarantee any covered loan, nor is any collateral required.

Borrower Certification Requirements

Eligible borrowers must certify that:

The uncertain current economic conditions make necessary the loan request to support the ongoing operations of the eligible recipient
The loan proceeds will be used to retain workers for the permitted purposes described above
The applicant does not have another pending loan application for the same purpose
The applicant has not received a duplicative loan from the SBA for the period February 15 through December 31

Interest Rate and Maturity Date

The interest on a PPP loan cannot exceed 4% and the amount that is not forgiven has a maximum maturity of 10 years from the application date.

Deferment of Payments and Prepayment Penalties

The payment of principal (if required) and interest is deferred for up to one year and prepayments may be made without penalty.

Loan Forgiveness

The principal amount of the loans made under the PPP is eligible for forgiveness. Amounts eligible for forgiveness are the lesser of the amount of 1) the loan principal amount or 2) the amounts expended during the eight-week period following the funding that was used for:

Payroll costs
Payment of interest (other than prepayment penalties) on any recourse mortgage secured by real property owned by the borrower prior to February 15, 2020
Rent on a lease obligation of the borrower that was in force prior to February 15, 2020
Utility payments (including electricity, gas, water, telephone, transportation or internet access) for which service began prior to February 15, 2020

Loan Forgiveness Reductions

To encourage borrowers to retain and rehire employees, the amount eligible for forgiveness is reduced (not increased) based on workforce or employee salary reductions.

Workforce reductions – The loan forgiveness reduction based on workforce reductions is calculated by taking the amount eligible for forgiveness and multiplying it by the average number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) per month employed during the eight-week period beginning with the loan funding date over one of the following:

the average number of FTEs employed per month from February 15, 2019 through June 15, 2019; or,
the average number of FTEs employed per month from January 1, 2020 and ending on February 29, 2020.

Example: ABC Inc. employed a workforce of 50 FTEs during the period February 15, 2019 through June 15, 2019, and 45 employees for the period January 1, 2020 through February 29, 2020. ABC applies for and receives a PPP loan of $1 million which is funded on April 15, 2020. For the eight-week period April 15, 2020 through June 9, 2020, ABC’s monthly average number of FTEs is 40. For purposes of calculating the reduction in loan forgiveness, ABC should elect the measurement period January 1, 2020–February 29, 2020, since it will result in a higher amount of the loan being forgiven. In this case $888,889 would be forgiven (1,000,000 – (1,000,000 x 40/45) = 888,889). If ABC Inc. uses the default measurement period of February 15, 2019–June 15, 2019, the amount of the loan forgiven would be $800,000 (1,000,000 – (1,000,000 x 40/50) =$800,000).

Salary or wage reductions – The amount of the loan eligible for forgiveness is also reduced by the total reduction in salary or wages of any employee who earned less than $100,000 (as annualized) during 2019. The amount ineligible for forgiveness is the compensation that exceeds 25% of the total salaries or wages of the employee for the most recent full quarter during which the employee was employed before the eight-week period beginning on the loan funding date.

Example: ABC, Inc. applies for and receives a PPP loan of $1 million on April 15, 2020. Jane worked for ABC for all of 2019 and earned a salary of $50,000. On March 17, 2020, Jane was laid off from her job with ABC due to lack of work. For the period January 1, 2020–March 31, 2020, Jane earned $10,400. ABC does not rehire Jane. Because Jane was not paid during the eight-week period following the loan funding date (April 15, 2020–June 9, 2020), ABC is not eligible for loan forgiveness for 75% of Jane’s wages for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, or $7,800.

Relief from Forgiveness Reduction

Employers who rehire employees or restore wage reductions of employees by June 30, 2020 may receive relief from loan forgiveness reductions. Loan forgiveness reductions will not apply to any employer who between February 15, 2020 and 30 days after enactment of the CARES Act:

reduced the number of FTEs during the period and not later than June 30, 2020 has eliminated the reduction in FTEs; or
reduced salaries and wages for one or more employees during the period and eliminated the reduction in salary of the employee(s).

Example: Between February 15, 2020 and April 27, 2020 (30 days after enactment of the CARES Act), XYZ Manufacturing laid off 200 of its 210 workers. The company applied for and received a PPP loan of $6.5 million on May 15, 2020. From May 15, 2020 through June 30, 2020, XYZ hires 200 employees and has at least the same number of FTEs that it had during the period February 15, 2019–June 30, 2019 (or, at the company’s election, January 1, 2020-February 29, 2020). So long as XYZ uses the loan proceeds for its qualified purposes, XYZ will be eligible for forgiveness reduction relief.

Federal Income Tax Treatment of Loan Forgiveness

Unless an exception exists, the forgiveness of indebtedness typically results in taxable income, a reduction in tax attributes or both. PPP loans forgiven under this program, to the extent that loan forgiveness would otherwise be includible in the gross income of the recipient, are excluded from income.

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for the SBA’s existing Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program has been expanded to include businesses and non-profits with no more than 500 employees, sole proprietorships (with or without employees) and independent contractors. All states and their political subdivisions qualify as disaster areas with sufficient economic damage to qualify for EIDLs.

Maximum Loan Amount

Applicants who demonstrate economic injury and the ability to repay may receive an EIDL for up to $2 million.

Permissible Uses

Other than EIDL $10,000 advances, the use of the loan proceeds is unrestricted.

EIDL advances of up to $10,000 will be processed within three days of applying. These advances do not have to be repaid, even if the applicant’s loan is denied. However, advanced amounts must be used for any or all of the following purposes:

Providing sick leave to employees not able to work due to the direct effects of COVID-19
Maintaining payroll during business disruptions and slowdowns
Meeting increased supply chain costs
Making rent or mortgage payments
Repaying debts that cannot otherwise be paid due to lost revenue

Loan Terms

The borrower may receive up to $2 million, dependent on the borrower’s demonstrated economic injury and ability to repay. The interest rate is no more than 4% and a loan term of no more than 30 years. Personal guarantees are required unless there is an EIDL advance or for loans of $200,000 or less. Lenders may accept applicants based solely on credit scores or “alternative appropriate methods to determine an applicant’s ability to pay.”

Waivers

The expanded EIDL program waives the “1 year in business prior to the disaster requirement” for businesses in operation prior to February 1, 2020 and the requirement that the applicant be unable to find credit elsewhere.

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Small Business Resources for Coronavirus / COVID-19

March 31, 2020 / Leave a comment

National

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans

The SBA is planning on offering low-interest federal disaster loans for eligible small businesses and non-profits reeling from the financial impact the coronavirus is causing.

The program is being developed in real-time, but you can learn more about your eligibility and how to apply by calling their customer service number (1-800-659-2955) or emailing this address.

Eligible small businesses can receive loans of up to $2 million.
The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that can’t be paid because of COVID-19.
The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without other credit options, and 2.75% for non-profits.
A long-term repayment plan of up to 30 years can help keep payments affordable.

Your local SBA District Office

Get in touch with your local SBA office to see if they have any additional resources specifically designed for business owners in your area.

Facebook

Facebook created a free Business Resource Hub with resources for businesses struggling to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak. Through the program, Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses.

Verizon

Verizon is waiving late fees incurred by any small business or residential customers due to their economic circumstances related to COVID-19 for the next 60 days. The company will also not terminate service to any customers who are unable to pay their bills due to COVID-19, and is adding an extra 15GB of data to all consumer and small business plans.

AT&T

AT&T will not terminate the service of any wireless, home phone, or broadband residential or small business customers unable to pay their bill due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. For the next 60 days, the company will also waive late payment fees incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will keep public Wi-Fi hotspots open for any American who needs them.

Comcast

Comcast is providing free Xfinity hotspots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or late fees for all customers experiencing hardship over the next 60 days. Comcast is also offering a free Internet Essentials internet plan for all new customers for 60 days.

Yelp

Yelp created a $25 million fund to provide relief to independently owned restaurant and nightlife businesses and franchisees with fewer than five locations in the form of waived advertising fees and free advertising, products, and services during this period.

Small Business Relief Initiative

Intuit Quickbooks teamed up with GoFundMe and Yelp to launch the Small Business Relief Initiative to provide small business owners with the financial support and resources needed to continue running their businesses during and after the coronavirus crisis.

Each company has donated $500,000 to start the fund, which will provide grants to small businesses across the United States, starting with the hardest hit areas. The fund will also issue $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe.

Industry-Specific Resources

Wellness Relief Fund

Reclamation Ventures opened a grant opportunity to cover one month of missed revenue (up to $2,500) for wellness spaces and wellness instructors that represent underestimated communities.

Applications will be open until April 30. Click here to apply.

Food Business

This webinar series will kick off TODAY (Monday, March 30) at 2 P.M. ET with “Insurance, the Facts for Restaurants”, a review of the universal rules about insurance in hospitality and food businesses. Register here.

Our advocacy-focused webinar will take place on Thursday, April 2, at 2 P.M. ET with a team from Arnold & Porter, who will talk about various provisions in the relief bills, including unemployment insurance.

Find more information and a list of webinars here.

California

Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program

Employers who are considering laying off employees due to a slowdown in business from the coronavirus can apply for the UI Work Sharing Program, which partially offsets reduced worker hours and wages with UI benefits. The program allows you to retain trained employees and quickly prepare for when business improves.

You can apply for a Work Sharing plan by completing the application and mailing it to the address on the top of the form.

Rapid Response Program

Rapid Response meets with business owners onsite to discuss strategies for avoiding potential layoffs and assist in providing further training to employees to increase the competitiveness and profitability of the business.

To get started, contact America’s Job Center of California.

State tax extension

The Employment Development Department (EDD) of California will grant a 60-day tax extension for businesses that are experiencing hardship due to coronavirus. The tax extension will give more time for businesses to file state payroll reports and deposit state payroll taxes.

You must submit a written request within 60 days of your original delinquent date.

Oakland

Business Tax Assistance

The City of Oakland’s Finance Department will waive late payment penalties on taxes due March 1, 2020 for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Employers can also apply for a payment plan to decrease the costs.

To apply for a payment plan of learn more about penalty waivers, call the Finance Department customer service line at (510) 238-3704 or email [email protected].

Small Business Technical Help

Oakland’s Business Assistance Center is working directly with employers to connect them with organizations that offer financial help, technical assistance, and more.

To receive the help, visit oaklandbusinesscenter.com and fill out the online assessment form.

San Francisco

Tax Deferment

San Francisco is deferring payment of quarterly business taxes due April 30 for businesses with up to $10 million in gross receipts. The taxes will be deferred to February 2021 with no interest or penalties.

Business Licensing Fee Deferment

San Francisco is also deferring annual small business license and permit fee due dates that make up the Unified License Bill until June 30, 2020.

For information on both the tax and business licensing fee deferments, visit the COVID-19 Tax and License Deferral site.

Small Business Resiliency Fund

The Office of Economic and Workforce Development created the Small Business Resiliency Fund to offer up to $10,000 in emergency grants for businesses affected by COVID-19. You must be able to show a loss in revenue to be eligible for the grant.

To learn more about the grant, visit the COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund site.

Loan Funds

San Francisco provides access to capital and technical assistance through the Revolving Loan Fund, as well as the Emerging Business Loan Fund, which offers loans of up to $250,000 to qualifying commercial projects.

Contact Karla De Leon at 510-830-3226 or email her at [email protected] to learn more about your loan options.

Colorado

Work-Share Program

The Colorado Work-Share program allows employees of businesses affected by COVID-19 to keep working, but with fewer hours. While an employee is working fewer hours, he or she may be eligible to collect part of his or her regular unemployment benefits.

Employers must satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for the program:

Your normal weekly hours must have been reduced by at least 10%.
The reduction must affect at least of your employees.
You must have paid as much in premiums as the Colorado
Department of Labor and Employment paid your former employees in unemployment insurance benefits.

Denver

Small Business Emergency Relief Program

The Denver Office of Economic Development will give grants of up to $7,500 to eligible small businesses in the Denver area. Around 250 businesses will receive the cash grants, and employers in industries that are particularly hit hard by COVID-19 (like restaurants and retail) are encouraged to apply.

Businesses can apply online here.

Tax Extensions

Denver businesses won’t have to pay the 15% late fee if they’re unable to pay their business taxes that are due in March or April.

Connecticut

Disaster Relief Fund

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that have been impacted by COVID-19 are eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Apply for funding by visiting the SBA Disaster Assistance page.

Tax Extensions

Deadlines for filing and payments associated with certain state business tax returns due on or after March 15, 2020 are extended by at least 30 days. You do not need to take action to receive the extended due date, but if you have questions, visit the Connecticut State Department of Revenue Services website to learn more.

Delaware

Hospitality Emergency Loan Program

The HELP program offers no-interest loans to restaurants, bars and other hospitality industry businesses impacted by COVID-19. The loans are capped at $10,000 per business and can be used for rent, utilities and other unavoidable bills, but not for personnel costs.

The loans carry a 10-year term and payments will be deferred for nine months. Applications will be available soon, check out Delaware’s Division of Small Business Page to learn more.

Florida

Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is activated to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The program provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury.

Employers with two to 100 employees can apply for loans up to $50,000. The loan is interest free for up to one year. To be eligible, your business must have been established prior to March 9, 2020.

The application period runs through May 7, 2020. To apply, click here.

Tax Assistance

The Florida Department of Revenue dedicated a team to address tax-related issues surrounding COVID-19. To contact the team, email [email protected].

Indiana

SBA Consulting and Training

Gener8tor is hosting emergency one-week virtual programs for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These programs will feature daily webinars designed to identify, understand and help small businesses secure resources to withstand the current crisis. One-on-one office hours will also be available. Click here to register.

Iowa

Small Business Relief Program

Governor Reynolds announced a new Iowa Small Business Relief Program that will provide financial assistance to small businesses and tax deferrals to any Iowa businesses that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Application deadline is Tuesday, March 31, at 12 p.m.

Maine

Finance Authority of Maine

FAME and participating lenders will make special terms available to Maine-based businesses that have experienced interruption or hardship due to COVID-19. Various benefits include:

Loans up to $50,000 offered at reduced interest rates
Interest-only payments
Up to 75% pro-rata loan insurance on loans up to $100,000
Interim financing in conjunction with the SBA wherein FAME makes loan proceeds available while approved SBA borrowers await federal funding.

Maryland

Tax Extensions

The due date for individual and business tax returns has been extended to July 15, 2020. No application for the extended due date is needed.

Massachusetts

Loan Fund

Gov. Charlie Baker announced a $10 million loan fund to help support employers whose businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. Massachusetts-based businesses with under 50 employees will be able to receive up to $75,000 in emergency funding. If you are eligible, you will receive the funds immediately and have no payments for six months.

To apply for the loan, visit the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s COVID-19 page.

Michigan

Michigan Small Business Relief Program

Starting April 1, the Michigan Small Business Relief Program will provide $10 million in low-interest loans and $10 million in grants to eligible Michigan businesses. The loans are for employers with 50 employees or less, and the grants are for companies with less than 100 employees.

Keep an eye on this page for updates on both programs and how to apply.

New Jersey

New Jersey Economic Development Authority Grants

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will provide more than $75 million in support for small to mid-sized businesses impacted by COVID-19. The approved package of NJEDA grants includes:

Small business grant program
Zero-interest loan program for mid-sized businesses
Entrepreneur funding
Technical support and marketplace information

Keep an eye on this page for updates on how to apply and more.

New York City

Loans and Grants

New York City businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen a sales decrease of at least 25% because of COVID-19 are eligible for up to $75,000 in interest-free loans to make up for profit losses.

Small businesses with fewer than 5 employees are being offered a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for up to two months. If you’re interested in either one of these programs, fill out the COVID-19 Business Assistance Survey.

Washington

State Tax Extension

Employers who have seen an impact on business due to COVID-19 may request a tax extension from the Washington Department State of Revenue. The extension is designed to free up your cash reserves, and give you more time to pay and report your taxes.

If you don’t apply for a tax extension but are late in paying your taxes because of the coronavirus, the penalty may be waived under certain circumstances if you haven’t owed a late penalty in the last two years.

Contact WDOR at 360.705.6705 to find out if you’re eligible for the tax extension.

SharedWork Program

Much like California’s UI Work Sharing Program, the Washington SharedWork Program partially offsets reduced worker hours and wages with UI benefits. This valuable resource can reduce your payroll costs by around 10% and it could allow you to keep your trained staff intact.

Apply for the Shared Work Program here, and refer to the instructions on this page.

Standby

If you need to shut down operations because your employees are sick and need to be quarantined, you can request to place your staff on standby for up to eight weeks. This means your employees will be able to receive benefits and won’t be forced to look for another job.

Washington-based employers must wait for a worker to apply for standby, at which point a “Request for Separation Information” form will be sent in the mail. Fill out the form, mail it back, and you’ll then be sent a decision in the mail.

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