SCSPLS

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP DURING THE PANDEMIC

3-Part Virtual Training Series

If you’re like other leaders we’ve been speaking with, you realize this isn’t business as usual.

That being said, please join us for a 3-part virtual training series to help leaders like you, and your team, navigate these unprecedented times.

It’s called “Effective Leadership During the Pandemic.”

It’s complimentary for you and our way of saying “we’re all in this together.”

Each sessions counts towards your professional development hours and lasts 50 minutes followed by a 10 minute Q&A.

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

Topics
> 5 Strategies to Make Working from Home More Productive Than the Office
Wednesday, April 22nd 11:30 – 12:20 PM EST.

> How to Manage Your Remote Teams Effectively
Wednesday, April 30th 11:30 – 12:20 PM EST

> Effective Leadership by Email
Wednesday, May 6th 11:30 – 12:20 PM EST

All sessions are led by #1 Bestselling Author, INC Magazine Columnist, and Corporate Trainer – Ben Fanning.

Click below to register:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3UVo8wM5TAWWNsQffrkIYg

Dear South Carolina Society of Professional Land Surveyors,

Thank you for your request to continue operating pursuant to Executive Order 2020-17 as issued by Governor McMaster on Tuesday, March 31st.

We have reviewed your request, and per the guidance included in Executive Order 2020-17, your business can continue operating during this time of COVID-19 pandemic.

Please note that businesses should comply with Centers for Disease Control and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidance on workplace safety and prevention of disease spread. This exemption approval is subject to continuance of and compliance with the social distancing and other mitigation measures to protect employees and the public, including virtual and telework operations (e.g. work from home) as the primary option when available. In-person work at a business site is only to be performed on the most limited basis possible to deliver the services or goods of your business.  This determination is provisional in nature and subject to revision, alteration, or revocation at any point, and in the Department’s discretion, based on the evolving nature and scope of the ongoing public health emergency associated with COVID-19 and to account for changing circumstances.

The US Department of Labor is another great resource for both employers and employees.  A new page has been generated to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus (also known as novel coronavirus).

https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus

Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has resources to help employers and workers prepare for and respond to coronavirus in the workplace.

• OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help employers respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace.
• Temporary OSHA Guidance on Respiratory Protection Standard – This guidance provides suggestions and options to help increase the availability of N95 filtering facepiece respirators for healthcare providers.
• COVID-19 Webpage – Provides infection prevention information specifically for employers and workers.

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200402-0

News Release

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES NEW CARES ACT GUIDANCE ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR STATES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 CRISIS

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the publication of Unemployment Insurance Program Letter 14-20 (UIPL) outlining relevant provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act related to the administration of and eligibility criteria for state unemployment insurance (UI) programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for those not typically eligible for UI, such as gig workers, and expanded UI benefits. Today’s guidance is the first of several upcoming UIPLs to states on the unemployment insurance provisions of the CARES Act.

The CARES Act follows decisive and timely actions already taken by the department, Congress and President Trump to provide American families with much-need relief during the COVID-19 crisis.

“As workers across the country make sacrifices to combat the coronavirus, the U.S. Department of Labor is focused on supporting them and their families during a time of economic hardship,” said Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “The Department is offering guidance and support so that States can provide benefits quickly while protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance system.”

The UIPL outlines several new programs under the recent CARES Act. PUA provides benefits for eligible individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who otherwise would not qualify for UI benefits under state or federal law. To be eligible, among other requirements, individuals must demonstrate that they are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable state law, except that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work because of COVID-19 related reasons.

Under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, eligible individuals who are collecting certain UI benefits, including regular unemployment compensation, will receive an additional $600 in federal benefits per week for weeks of unemployment ending on or before July 31, 2020. Additionally, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program allows those who have exhausted benefits under regular unemployment compensation or other programs to receive up to 13 weeks of additional benefits. States must offer flexibility in meeting PEUC eligibility requirements related to “actively seeking work” if an applicant’s ability to do so is impacted by COVID-19.

For more information UIPLs or previous guidance, please visit: wdr.doleta.gov/directives/.
For department resources on COVID-19, please visit: www.dol.gov/coronavirus.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.

The Employment and Training Administration administers federal job training and dislocated worker programs, federal grants to states for public employment service programs, and unemployment insurance benefits. These services are primarily provided through state and local workforce development systems.

The mission of the department is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Agency Employment and Training Administration
Date April 2, 2020
Release Number 20-492-NAT

Contact: Department of Labor National Contact Center
Email [email protected]

License Renewal Period Extended

Dear Licensees:

In the last few weeks, we have all experienced significant changes in our lives brought on by the spread of COVID-19. Some of you are healthcare providers and have suddenly found yourselves on the front lines, fighting this pandemic. Others of you own or work in the business sector that has been financially impacted by the measures we have all had to take to socially distance from each other to stop the spread of the virus. And many of you are telecommuting, trying to find a home/work balance while also taking care of and even teaching your children who are out of school and at home with you.

Whatever your circumstances are, I wanted to let you know the Agency recognizes and appreciates the sacrifices you are making during this difficult time, and we want to do our part in making things easier for you. As of today, we are extending the license renewal deadline for licenses, registrations and permits scheduled to renew during the months of April, May, June, July and August. The new renewal deadline will now be extended to September 30, 2020. Additionally, continuing education requirements may be obtained throughout the entirety of this extended renewal period. Affected licenses, registrations and permits are listed below.

Renewals will be open on their regularly scheduled dates, so you are welcome to renew when they open if that is more convenient for you, but you are not required to do so. Please click on your board’s link below to find out if your license type is currently open for renewal. Renewing on your regular schedule may be preferable to those of you who are required to provide proof of current licensure to other regulatory authorities or to your employers.

Thank you for the services you provide to the citizens of South Carolina, and please stay safe.

Emily H. Farr, Director

Joint Workforce Safety Plan on all SCDOT Worksites

Last week, SCDOT, Carolinas AGC, FHWA, ACEC-SC and SCAPA developed a “Joint Workforce Safety Plan for COVID-19” to outline the efforts the transportation industry is taking to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Industry partners adopted the Joint Workforce Safety Plan on all SCDOT worksites.  CLICK HERE to download the Joint Workforce Safety Plan.  Please distribute this to all employees at your firm that work with SCDOT.

SCDOT continues to plan to work on critical mission items, which include the roads and bridge program as long as able.  For now, plan to keep working and invoicing on current SCDOT projects unless otherwise notified.

While all SCSPLS members may not work directly with SCDOT, this Safety Plan may be helpful to you.

The State Engineering Guard ENG CMD has been activated to inspect facilities that may be used as remote health facilities if this pandemic continues and stresses the state’s hospital systems.  State Guard members have already looked at possible buildings in Barnwell, Fairfield, Greenville and Lexington Counties.

The needed inspections will differ from inspections made after a natural disaster. The inspections for the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic will be looking at what improvements would have to be made to bring an unused facility up to habitability and hospital standards. These inspections would include but are not limited to the following: water and sewer systems, electrical systems, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection and structural integrity.  Some surveying may be required.

Examples of facilities that might be inspected are motels, school buildings, storefronts, dorms, convention areas, etc.

In interested in volunteering your time and expertise, Please CLICK HERE to complete the SC State Guard Application.  Once complete, please return to Allison King at [email protected].  She will consolidate the forms and forward to the State Guard for processing.  You will also need to complete the following forms as well.  Please click on each name for the form:
  Photo ID
NCIC Check
Medical Form
***If you have a client who has plans to demolish a building and has placed the project on hold, that may be upfitted without lots of work, please let me know as the facility may be usable.
Nursing homes
Hospitals
Hotels
Dorms
Apartments
Climate control bldgs. that may be divided into rooms
Per the State Guard, a prime example is a long-term hotel purchased by SCDOT for an interchange to be built on I-20.  With a deep cleaning, adjustment of the temperatures on water heaters and changing backflow preventor, this property would be usable.

If you are available to participate in these inspections, please complete the form and return to [email protected].