Move Toward Solutions More Quickly via BounceBackContraCosta.org

Operating a business is difficult enough without the challenges created by a pandemic. Just when you overcome one obstacle, you are faced with another and need a solution – fast. As a part of the Contra Costa County workforce development system, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County is dedicated to helping your business find solutions by connecting you with the resources you need, as quickly as possible.

The Employers page at bouncebackcontracosta.org puts at your fingertips a listing of websites for key state agencies and organizations that are providing relative information for businesses during this time of COVID-19. Link to information and guidance related to employee layoffs and reduced hours, sick or quarantined workers, disaster assistance loans, building and planning permits and more.

East Bay EDA Survey: Nearly 40% of Businesses Temporarily Closed

Last month, we shared with you that the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) was taking a survey to gather crucial information about the impacts COVID-19 has had on local businesses.

The results are in.

East Bay EDA reported in its most recent newsletter that nearly 2,000 business owners in the East Bay region responded to the survey between mid-April and early May and that the impacts of COVID-19 have been particularly acute for local-serving industries, such as food and beverage, hospitality/leisure/entertainment, retail, and personal services.

“Nearly 40% of businesses had temporarily closed, and those that were able to remain open experienced significant drops in revenue, compelling many to lay off workers and take other difficult actions to try and survive,” the newsletter reads.

“East Bay businesses reported laying off more than 25,000 workers during the months of March and April based upon WARN notices filed with the State of California, layoffs that are additional to those reported by the businesses responding to our survey.”

Webinar: Getting Back to Work During COVID-19

Join WDBCCC and the California Employers Association on June 16 for The Three R’s to Getting Back to Work During COVID-19, a webinar that will help employers prepare for their employees’ return to work when operations can resume. The webinar will cover the three critical R’s: Reconstruct, Reinstate, and Reconnect.

Reconstruct – Determine what your workplace will look like under the “new normal.” Learn how to bring people back and what to do if some of the workforce cannot be reinstated.

Reinstate – Evaluate how effective remote work has been for your team and whether it can – or should –continue. Be prepared for a variety of federal, state, and local requirements regarding testing employees, personal protective equipment (PPE), physical distancing and more.

Reconnect – How to welcome employees back and ensure a safe working environment.

The Three R’s to Getting Back to Work During COVID-19
for Contra Costa County
June 16, 2020
9 a.m.-10 a.m.

Rubicon Programs Goes Virtual to Continue Serving Jobseekers

When California announced its stay-home order in March, one of Rubicon Programs’ biggest priorities was figuring out how to continue helping jobseekers in the two counties it serves, Contra Costa and Alameda. With the increasing number of people losing their jobs or being furloughed, the need for its services would be even greater.

Monique Brown, director of Workforce Services for Rubicon Programs, said the organization’s leaders met within a week of the stay-home order and developed a strategy to roll out virtual services for jobseekers, including those already using services and for newcomers.

Rubicon turned to its website, social channels, emails and other communications tools to let program participants and the general public know they were still open for business. They also launched a “warm line” monitored by team members who answered questions for people who had been laid off or furloughed, as well as businesses trying to understand new legislation and federal relief funds.

“We not only provided information for Rubicon services, but we were able to share partner information,” Brown said. “We were acting as a triage of sorts in this panic moment, when a lot of people were trying to figure out where they could go.”

Rubicon also created live virtual workshops covering topics such as how to conduct a job search while sheltering in place. The workshops were open to the general public, not only residents of Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Rubicon team members ran the workshops, which were promoted on the Rubicon website, Facebook and Instagram to reach as many people as possible. The organization also is working with WDBCCC to host video tutorials on the bouncebackcontracosta.org website.

In addition, Rubicon held a virtual job fair that drew 86 residents and eight employers.

Brown said one the most important messages for jobseekers right now is that they are not alone, even though they may be bound to their homes for the time being.

“Although we are socially isolating ourselves, we are still here and available to help,” Brown said of the organization’s message to those it serves. “We’re here to help families bounce back from this pandemic challenge that we’re all facing. We want to make sure resources are accessible so anyone who needs it can bounce back.”

Layoffs and Closures Are Difficult – We Can Guide You and Your Employees Through It

You are not alone if you are facing a layoff or closure as a result of the pandemic. It’s a challenging time for many businesses, and WDBCCC is here to help large and small businesses alike. Just email Rapid Response Coordinator Charles Brown III at [email protected], and someone from our Rapid Response Team will call you to discuss your needs and provide services to help impacted workers.

For more general information, please review our Services Offered and Layoff and Outplacement.

Human Resources Hotline for Employers

Have questions about California labor laws? Call the no-cost Human Resources Hotline for Employers at 888-599-7645. WDBCCC has partnered with the California Employers Association to provide Contra Costa County businesses with this complimentary service.

The hotline can provide guidance about hiring and firing processes; paid sick leave laws and FMLA; remote workers; breaks, lunches and overtime; employee handbooks and harassment prevention. Hotline hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

John Muir Health Offers Train-the-Trainer Temperature-Screening Program

To minimize the risk of COVID-19 spreading among employees, companies are requiring temperature checks in the workplace. Not sure how to go about this? John Muir Health is working with local businesses to implement a Train-the-Trainer Temperature-Screening Program. The program, which costs $325, includes:

• A one-time, socially distanced training at your workplace or virtually via Zoom
• John Muir Health’s best practice protocols
• A recommended supply list
• Suggested scripts
• Role-playing exercises and hands-on practice
• Ongoing updates from the John Muir team
• General COVID-19 education

If your business is interested in the Train-the-Trainer Temperature-Screening Program, contact [email protected] or at (925) 324-9903 for more information.

Free Online Skills Training for Employees

Whether you need to upskill current employees or are preparing to lay off employees and want to point them to resources that could help their transition, it’s important to know about the free online training being offered through WDBCCC and our partner EastBay Works.

Users must be a resident of Contra Costa County to access the training.

The online training is through the Metrix Learning portal, which uses videos to teach skills needed to be competitive in the job market. Users can choose from business, healthcare, industrial, computer, workplace and customer service courses.

A sampling of course topics include:

• CNA fundamentals – abuse and neglect, ambulation and more
• Healthcare billing & coding – home-health coding, ICD-10 and more
• Blueprints/drafting – CAM/CAD
• Robotics – robotic programming and robot operations
• Machining – CNC, grinding machines and machining centers
• Communications – effective business writing, cross-cultural communication
• Human Resources – recruiting and screening

To see how the Metrix Learning portal works, check out this video. Then, explore the system yourself – create a Metrix Learning account and you will receive an email with next steps. If you have questions, please email [email protected].