Employers

Returning to Work: Employer Guidance

Many of your workers may have been laid off or had their hours reduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are likely job attached to your business and are expected to be able and available to return to work when suitable work is offered. The Safer at Home Executive Order D 2020 044 addresses worker rights and protections when returning to work, especially for vulnerable populations.

Common Questions from Workers

• What if my employer is requiring me to return to work but I don't feel safe?
• Where can I learn more or ask questions about paid leave, discrimination/accommodation, or workplace safety?
• Will I lose my unemployment benefits if I don't return to work?
• For these questions about returning to work, unemployment benefit eligibility and paid sick leave Read our FAQs

Layoff Assistance and Workforce Reductions

If you are an employer who has reduced your workforce, your employees may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You can help us expedite benefits to your workers by sharing our "Unemployment Helpful Hints Fact Sheet" and encouraging your workers to apply online. They will need their income information (including tips) and work history.

Layoff Alternatives

If you are only reducing hours, you may be eligible for our Workshare program. The Work-Share Program provides an alternative to laying off employees by allowing them to keep working, but with fewer hours. While an employee is working fewer hours, they may be eligible to collect part of their regular unemployment benefits.

Requirements and qualifications for employers:

• You must have reduced the normal weekly work hours by at least 10 percent, but by no more than 40 percent.
• The reduction must affect at least two out of all employees in the business, or a minimum of two employees in a certain unit.
• You must have paid as much in premiums as we paid your former employees in unemployment insurance benefits. See the rate notice we mailed you in November.
• For more details, download the Employer Fact Sheet or visit the Work Share page.

 Employee Retention Tax Credit

A recently created program in the CARES Act is the Employee Retention Tax Credit available to all businesses and tax-exempt organizations. It allows a 50% refundable tax credit on up to $10,000 in wages per employee, per quarter.

The conditions that need to be met are:

1. Business is fully or partially suspended due to a government order during COVID-19 outbreak, OR
2. Decline of 50%+ of gross receipts, until gross receipts recover to 80% of a quarter in a prior year (2019)

The CARES Act also created an advance option for this credit, which can be applied for via the attached form (7200). Again, this could be useful information for your respective organizations or your private sector members/Board members. The IRS published various forms, guidance and FAQs related to the Employee Retention Tax Credit today.

Visit the I.R.S FAQs: Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act for more information.

Hiring And Recruiting

While many employers are seeing workforce reductions, some businesses need workers to meet a new demand for products or services. If you are a hiring employer, please post your jobs online with Connecting Colorado. Our local Workforce Centers can also help you host a virtual job fair customized to your hiring needs.

If you would like one of our Business Services Representatives to help you through the posting process or explore other workforce solutions, please contact your local workforce center.

Small Business Loan Assistance And Other Resources

Information on SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Grant, Express Bridge Loans, Paycheck Protection Loans, Debt Relief Program and other resources. Other resources are available through the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

• OEDIT Disaster Response Hotline: 303-860-5881
• OEDIT COVID-19 Website
• Small Business Development Network COVID-19 Website