As always, the health and well-being of our people, their families, our customers, and suppliers are paramount during this COVID-19 pandemic. Sunland has organized an internal task force to help lead our organization through this challenge. A primary objective of this task force is to provide our team members with important information.
If you are a Sunland Associates with questions related to COVID-19, you may reach us at 1-844-357-8953 or email [email protected].
Information Timeline:
March 13, 2020: COVID-19 Prevention & Preparation Communication
March 16, 2020: Ways to Help Prevent the Spread
March 17, 2020: Employment Security Information for workers & employers
March 18, 2020: Creating a Household Plan
March 19, 2020: Managing Anxiety & Stress
March 20, 2020: Telemedicine , WTI’s COVID-19 Facts You Need to Know , Employee Available Services
March 23, 2020: Customer Communication, Disinfecting Your Home if Someone is Sick
March 24, 2020: 032420_How to Clean and Disinfect
March 25, 2020: Share the Facts
March 26, 2020: COVID-19 Site Guidelines
March 27, 2020: Customer Communication
March 30, 2020: Essential Business, People Who are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
March 31, 2020: CDC Response to Protect Communities
April 1, 2020: Social Distancing Guidelines at Work
April 2, 2020: Be Smart, Be Ready, Call for Temporary Nurses
April 3, 2020: Customer Communication
April 6, 2020: How to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 if You Are Sick
April 7, 2020: How Coronavirus Spreads , Social Distancing and Second Jobs
April 8, 2020: CDC Situation Summary
April 9, 2020: Customer Communication, Running Essential Errands, Mask and Glove Guidelines
April 13, 2020: CDC Exposure Guidance , Info Resource: healthdata.org
April 14, 2020: Be KIND to Address Fear
April 15, 2020: Be KIND to Support Loved Ones
April 16, 2020: Coping_with_Stress
April 17, 2020: Customer Communication
April 21, 2020: How to Safely Use Masks
April 24, 2020: Customer Communication
April 28, 2020: Symptoms of Coronavirus
April 29, 2020: Updated Guidelines for Employees Returning Back to Work , Social Distancing Guidelines
May 1, 2020: Customer Communication
May 4, 2020: How to Protect Yourself
May 8, 2020: Social Distancing, Quarantine, Isolation , Social Distancing and 2nd Jobs
May 12, 2020: Households Living in Close Quarters
May 13, 2020: How to Cope with Job Stress
May 14, 2020: If You Have Pets
May 15, 2020: COVIDView CDC Update
May 21, 2020: Helping Children Cope with Stress
Questions & Answers (Updates in response to the CARES Act will be made soon)
If you are affected by COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that may be able to help. We adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers and businesses.
The Q&A below provides answers to many of the frequently asked questions we are receiving about qualifying for unemployment benefits. And, this easy-to-read comparison guide lists some of the most common COVID-19 scenarios that may occur and the benefits that may apply.
Q. What if I need to take time off work because I contract COVID-19?
A. The first and best option for employees who need to miss work due to illness is to use their employer-paid time off. Labor and Industries has information about Paid Sick Leave. When this leave is not available, Paid Family & Medical Leave may be available to help.
Q. What if I am asked by a medical professional or public health official to quarantine as a result of COVID-19, but I am not sick?
A. If you are following guidance issued by a medical professional or public health official to isolate or quarantine yourself as a result of exposure to COVID-19 and you are not receiving paid sick leave from your employer, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Eligibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. If you know you can return to your job as soon as your isolation or quarantine is lifted, you may not need to search for work. You must able to accept any work offered by your employer that would not cause you to break isolation or quarantine.
Q. My employer has shut down operations temporarily because an employee is sick and we have been asked to isolate or quarantine as a result of COVID-19. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?
A. If you are not receiving payment from your employer, such as paid sick leave or paid time off, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits and may qualify for standby during this time. Eligibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Basic eligibility requirements for a claim can be found here.
Q. What if my employer goes out of business as a result of COVID-19?
A. You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you’re out of work due to a lack of work. Here are instructions on how to apply for unemployment benefits. (These benefits are intended to assist workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own.)
What if I am temporarily laid off work because business has slowed down as a result of COVID-19?
A. If you are laid off work temporarily or if your hours are reduced due to a business slowdown or a lack of demand as a result of COVID-19, you may be able to receive unemployment benefits. Eligibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
· Standby means you do not have to look for another job while you collect unemployment benefits, so long as you stay in contact with your regular employer. You must accept any work you can do without breaking isolation or quarantine that is offered by your employer, such as telework. When you file your claim, you can request up to four weeks of standby. If needed, your employer can request up to an additional four weeks of standby (for a total of eight) as long as you will be returning to work full-time when business picks up again.
· Partial Employment or SharedWork: Under certain circumstances, you may work part-time while collecting unemployment benefits.
Q. I am a part-time employee. Am I eligible for standby?
A. If you have an anticipated date that you will return to work, under the emergency rules we put into place as a result of COVID-19, standby is available to all full-time, part-time, and other less than full-time employees. If you worked part time in the last 18 months, you must meet the minimum requirement of having worked 680 hours in your base year in order to have an unemployment claim. Basic eligibility requirements for a claim can be found here.
Q. What is a request to isolate or quarantine?
A. A request to isolate or quarantine is:
· A letter documenting a voluntary request or involuntary order to isolate or quarantine from a medical professional, local health official, or the Secretary of Health.
· A note from your medical provider or medical records office recommending isolation or quarantine.
· A self-determination that Department of Health’s quarantine guidance applies to you.
Q. What should I do if I contract COVID-19 on the job?
A. See information from the Dept. of Labor and Industries information on Workers’ Compensation.
Q. Do I qualify for unemployment benefits if I become seriously ill and I am forced to quit my job as a result of COVID-19?
A. If you are too ill to be able and available for work, you do not qualify for unemployment benefits. However, you may qualify for Paid Family & Medical Leave while you are sick. You can learn more in this Q&A. Once you recover and are available for work again, you can apply for unemployment benefits.
Q. How am I supposed to meet deadlines related to my existing unemployment claim if I am in isolation or quarantine as a result of COVID-19?
A. Under the emergency rules we put into place as a result of COVID-19, we are providing more leniency for many UI deadlines, such as deadlines for training programs. Submit your documents as soon as you are able and provide as much information as you can. Progress reports for training programs can be submitted with whatever information you have available. For example, if your school has closed, return your paperwork and tell us.
Q. I am still confused about what benefits and programs may be available to individuals who are financially affected by COVID-19.
A. This easy-to-read reference guide provides a simple list of many scenarios related to COVID-19 and the benefits that may apply.
Q. What if I’ve been collecting unemployment benefits and either myself or a family member gets sick with COVID-19 and I must care for them, what options do I have for benefits?
A. If you have been receiving unemployment benefits and are now sick with COVID-19, or need to take care of a loved one who is sick with COVID-19, you may not be considered able and available for work. You can apply for benefits with Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML). You cannot receive both unemployment benefits and PFML during the same week. You need to stop claiming unemployment benefits when you start receiving PFML. Cancellation of your unemployment claim is not necessary. Please visit PFML’s website for more information. Eligibility decisions for both unemployment and PFML are made on a case-by-case basis.
Q. How am I supposed to meet deadlines related to my existing unemployment claim if I am in isolation or quarantine as a result of COVID-19?
A. Under the emergency rules we put into place as a result of COVID-19, we are providing more leniency for many UI deadlines, such as deadlines for training programs. Submit your documents as soon as you are able and provide as much information as you can. Progress reports for training programs can be submitted with whatever information you have available. For example, if your school has closed, return your paperwork and tell us.
Q. What if I’ve been collecting unemployment benefits and either myself or a family member gets sick with COVID-19 and I must care for him or her, what options do I have for benefits?
A. It depends. If you cannot go to work because you don’t have childcare while school is closed, you should call your employer and let them know why you are absent. If your employer fires you or lays you off while you are absent, you may qualify for benefits. However, you are required to be able, available and actively seeking work each week you collect unemployment benefits. If you do not have childcare so that you can return to your job or accept a work offer, you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. If your situation changes, let us know. Remember, your first and best option should always be employer-paid time off.
State Specific Information:
