COVID-19 Resources
Navigating COVID-19 Containment Together
These are challenging times for businesses across the globe. The good news is companies are getting creative by taking an agile approach to meeting their strategic goals while caring for the people who help them get work done.
We’ve built an evolving repository of FAQs and insights – ranging from industry trends, mobility planning, and supply chain strategies, to business continuity as it relates to recruitment and talent market opportunities – all designed to help your company overcome this worldwide emergency.
If you’re a current customer who needs further guidance or a company seeking support, please reach out. We’re in this together, and we’re here to help you, your business, and your people thrive.
As companies prepare their people and their facilities for the eventual return to the workplace, there’s much we can learn from essential businesses already tackling these issues, as well as parts of the world that have progressed further through the pandemic. There may not be a magical playbook for instituting a return to the workplace strategy, but this article series shares best practices ranging from getting physical spaces ready to maintain social distancing and sanitation practices, to preparing people and policies about temperature checks, working parents, any continuance of remote working, traveling, and everything in between.
How Does PPE Fit into Return to the Workplace Planning Efforts?
Get some guidance on what level of protective equipment employers may need to provide to workers as part of their return to the workplace strategies.
Bringing Workers Back: Who, When, & How
Plans to reenter the workplace should balance the need to mitigate economic impacts on employers and workers against the risks of coronavirus’ resurgence.
Facility Cleaning: Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Workplace
Before welcoming workers back to your facility, consider how changes in how you clean and disinfect the space can limit the spread of COVID-19 and alleviate workers’ anxieties about returning.
Physical Space Modifications: Adjust the Workplace to Make Work Safe
Consider how changes to your company’s physical space could enable social distancing, reduce health risks, and promote safe workplaces.
North America: Job Market Recovery Continues Through the Third Quarter
This report provides an update on labor market conditions in the US and Canada to help companies make data-informed workforce decisions using the most recent data and analysis available. What are we seeing? In the US, job growth slowed substantially from August to September but remained somewhat constant from September to October. In Canada, we also see slowed growth, but with significant recovery of COVID-19 job losses in the last six months. Read the report for industry-specific analysis and projections for the winter months.
UK: Positive Recovery Seen in Strong Wage Growth and GDP
Job vacancies continue to recover, having increased significantly since June. However, there is still a way to go before numbers return to those seen back in February of this year. We also expect that the sourcing of professional and IT talent will become more competitive in this last quarter of 2020. Read our updated report for the insights your business needs for informed workforce decision-making.
Global: Several EMEA & APAC Markets See Continued Labor Usage Declines
While a lot of research about pandemic’s labor market impacts focuses on the US, Canada, and the UK, this briefing highlights some notable trends elsewhere in the world, where data is either lagging or lacking. But by using AGS’ client data, we can see more real-time impacts across Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Australia: Report Reveals Jobs Data and Insights to Consider for Future Workforce Planning
While Australia’s jobs market is certainly feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are finding ways to adapt to the changes. Additionally, the government announced a number of measures to support businesses, employees, and job seekers. Get our report to understand local market reactions to the pandemic segmented by industries and regions, plus what our analysts think the data reveals for the future of work.
Singapore: The Time to Adopt New Recruitment Strategies is Now
While Singapore was a country with early control of the pandemic, confirmed cases are rising, which is impacting business continuity. Read our latest in a series of labor market reports to understand pre-pandemic conditions juxtaposed against the current job market, what the government is doing to help employers and workers, and what businesses should be thinking about as they consider adjustments to their workforce strategy.
US – Federal Aid Delivers Opportunity for the Staffing Industry
To date, Congress has enacted three pieces of relief legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic, driving four main areas of opportunity for the staffing industry.
Three Talent Engagement Technologies for a Virtual, Changed World
Learn how companies are finding ways to take the sting out of isolation, especially when engaging with new talent.
Strategic Supplier Insights into Working from Home
A recent survey finds all suppliers are highly motivated to keep workers engaged, and many are willing to provide them with laptops as a part of that effort
Three Guides to Contingent Workforce Business Continuity
Navigate through the key scenarios and decisions your organization will face to ensure business continuity of your contingent workforce, with guides for North America, EMEA, and APAC
Assessing Levels of Risk When Contractors Become Sick
Guidance on how to handle diagnosed COVID-19 cases with FAQs about sick pay and remote work
Government Support – Singapore & Hong Kong
Wage support for employers is now available through two programs in Singapore and Hong Kong to help enterprises retain local employees.
Furloughs/Job Retention Scheme – UK
Employers of furloughed contract workers can now seek up to 80% of monthly wage costs and other fees through the UK’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to pay such workers. Learn about which workers are eligible, considerations for clients, any contract changes that may be required, and how self-employed workers may also benefit.
Immigration & Travel Restrictions – APAC
Companies and contract workers face delays that could slow the contract worker’s start date during the onboarding process. Read the latest guidance, accompanied by online resources.
Work From Home (WFH) Arrangements – APAC
As more people are working remotely, it brings up several questions about how best to support this adjusted way of working and align with local government guidance.
Immigration – US Only
As a result of the pandemic, employers face changing conditions that obligate them to handle H1-B employees certain ways when furloughs, layoffs, or hour reductions occur, while simultaneously contending with processing delays in documentation and onboarding that could slow a lawfully employed noncitizen’s start date, as well as actions that temporarily halt certain immigrant visa applications all together.
Temperature Checks – US Only
As companies work to manage workforce and workplace safety, temperature checks of workers and facilities visitors, now permissible by the EEOC, can help. But this raises questions around who can do it and how. We have answers.
Sick Workers & Related Pay Issues
Read answers to questions around when workers are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19.
The Stafford Act and Qualified Disaster Relief Payments – US Only
Since COVID-19 was declared a national emergency, employers can now take advantage of an Internal Revenue Code that allows them to make tax-free payments or reimbursements to help workers cope with the pandemic.
Workplace and Workforce – Canada
New programs, resources, and insight can help businesses in Canada address COVID-19-related workplace and workforce challenges.
Right to Work Verification and Wet Signatures – EMEA
With the help of technology, candidates can provide the relevant documents needed to clear pre-employment vetting to enable timely starts.
Drug Testing – US Only
Gain insight on temporary drug testing screening waivers for companies to maintain business continuity with onboarding their contingent labor workforce in a timely way.
Expense Reimbursements – US Only
Individuals new to remote work may incur costs that could be reimbursable. Here, we discuss typical office and childcare expenses.
Essential Workers Documentation – US Only
Get answers to what essential workers may need in order to document their need to be physically present on a work site.
Layoffs & Furloughs – US Only
Many companies are re-evaluating their financial positions and their current and short-term needs for contingent labor. These FAQs address some of their options to move forward.
Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)
Learn which employers can review documents for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) remotely and check back for insight on drug testing screening.
Remote Work
As more people begin to work remotely, it brings up several questions around how to best enable this shift.
Workplace Preparedness
When the unexpected happens, companies need to have a plan in place, so they’re ready to respond to emerging needs.
Global
North America
Canada
Government
- Alberta – Support for Employees & Employers
- British Columbia Emergency Benefit for Workers
- British Columbia Unpaid Job-Protected Leave
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit – Federal Aid
- Government of Canada – COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Government of Canada – Employment Insurance Benefits and Leave
- Government of Canada – Income Assistance
- Government of Canada – The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Government of Canada Website – COVID 19 Updates
- Ontario - Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020
- Quebec – Temporary Aid for Workers Program
United States
Government
- Internal Revenue Services – Coronavirus Tax Relief
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services Coronavirus Response
- US Department of Homeland Security - Coronavirus
- US Department of Labor Coronavirus Resources
- US Department of State – Travel
- US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- US Food & Drug Administration – COVID-19
- White House Coronavirus Task Force
EMEA
UK Region
Industry
England
Germany
Legal
Ireland
Public Health
Northern Ireland
Poland
Switzerland
Public Health
Scotland
Wales
APAC
Australia
Government
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Smart Traveler
- Department of Health - COVID-19 Health Alert
- Department of Health - National Coronavirus Helpline
- Department of Health - Public Gatherings Advice
- Department of Health - Symptom Checker
- Department of Social Services
- New South Wales Government - Pandemic Preparedness
- Prime Minister of Australia - National COVID-19 Coordination Commission
- The Treasury – Economic Response to the Coronavirus
Hong Kong
India
Government
Malaysia
Singapore
Government
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Travel Restrictions
- Ministry of Health - COVID-19
- Ministry of Manpower - Employment Practices
- Ministry of Manpower – Requirements for Safe Management Measures at the Workplace
- Ministry of Manpower – Safe Distancing at the Workplace
- Ministry of Trade and Industry – General Workplace Guidelines
If you have an urgent issue that needs a response, contact your program leader or reach us at one of the addresses below. When emailing, please be sure to include the client name, where applicable.
North America
EMEA
APAC
India
General Inquiries
If your business is struggling to navigate how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting contingent and permanent staffing, please reach out. We are committed to sharing what we know and guiding you as you evaluate your options.