This page was last updated July 2020.

• Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) Update July 2020: Businesses have a tremendous amount of concern about the overall impact of COVID-19 on their UI tax rates, and are wondering what the impact of the imposter fraud might be on their benefit charges and their experience rates. Businesses are not responsible for benefit charges for fraudulent claims filed in their employees’ names and their experience ratings will not be impacted by unemployment imposter fraud. Each quarter, ESD will send out a Statement of Benefit Charges to every taxable employer in the state with a list of those furloughed or former employees who used Unemployment Insurance. ESD is also including a cover letter that explains why you might still see benefit charges in the list that are fraudulent. The letter describes what you should/shouldn’t do with the information, and explains that ESD will, at the end of the year, provide a comprehensive list of actual benefit charges so that you can ensure its accuracy. can provide support in the form of unemployment benefits. For employers that want to keep from losing highly-trained employees, these unemployment benefits can be received through, or while covered by, Shared Work, Partial Unemployment and Standby (which allow certain workers to collect unemployment while remaining with their employers and not actively seeking other jobs). For more information, visit esd.wa.gov/about-employees/statement-of-benefit-charges

• The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) has advisors that can provide one-to-one assistance to help you think through your options and make informed decisions. Find business resiliency workbooks, webinars and business resources related to protecting your business here. Helpful publications include Business Survival Strategies and The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act. Learn more at wsbdc.org

• Washington State Department of Revenue Business Relief During COVID-19 Pandemic: dor.wa.gov/about/business-relief-during-covid-19-pandemic

• The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) created a page dedicated to business relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit dor.wa.gov/taxrelief

• Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) has a dedicated business resiliency web page, where you can download a copy of their Business Resiliency Guide, as well as a Business Resiliency Plan, which can be customized by small business owners to meet their specific needs. They have also launched a series of webinars targeted at small businesses. View the upcoming events to support your business. Webinar participants will also receive access to a business resiliency PDF fillable form that they can customize according to their particular needs. The Business Resiliency Toolkit, upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars can be found here: https://wsbdc.org/protect-your-business/business-resiliency/

• The NFIB offers a variety of information and tips including a webinar, at nfib.com/content/analysis/coronavirus/latest-on-coronavirus-from-nfib/

• The Association of Washington Business offers COVID-19 Resources for Employers at awb.org/covid-19-resources/

• Washington State’s Paid Sick Leave Law (from L & I) can be found here: lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/paid-sick-leave

• The Centers for Disease Control offers interim guidance for businesses and employers (including link to OSHA’s guidance) at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response

• The Office of the Governor has a dedicated area of their website with a COVID-19 resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers at  governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/covid-19-resources/covid-19-resources-businesses-and-workers

• OSHA’s Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (PDF) osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of business resources at uschamber.com/coronavirus

Pierce County is still providing free personal protective equipment (PPE) to businesses located in the county to help protect employees and customers, via a program funded through the CARES Act. For info & to apply, visit https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6861/Request-Business-PPE