By Mary Nixon, Vice President of Practice Transition
Dear valued team members,
I hope this note finds each of you well.
While our economy continues to pose challenges for everyone, we’ve heard that many of you have inquired about the ability to work a side-job and/or give-back to your community during this season; to rally around the businesses that are desperate for help. We commend you for your initiative and selflessness.
Can you work for another company or business while on furlough? Yes. However, please keep in mind that you will need to report those earnings on your weekly unemployment questionnaire. The earnings will be used in the calculation of how much you are eligible for in unemployment compensation.
Think about companies that could really use your help. A few that come to mind are the bigger box stores such as Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Walgreens, CVS and, your local grocery store chains. Following is a link that may assist you in your research with respect to where help is needed.
https://nrf.com/resources/job-opportunities-workers-displaced-covid-19
Can you volunteer in your community while on furlough? Yes. However, please be sure to follow all your local COVID-19 Orders and follow all the CDC guidelines for avoiding the spread of COVID-19.
Many want to help in the effort by volunteering their time and sharing their talents. Following are a few ideas that may spark interest toward involvement.
- Faith/community outreach. Think about your Neighborhood App postings, YMCA/YWCA and various churches and/or charities such as food pantries. Some of these even offer remote assistance. Your local town and/or county sites can be leveraged for opportunities.
- School/learning needs – laptop distribution; meals to kids, thank you notes to teachers and administrative staff.
- Letters to nursing homes patients and staff members, hospitals and/or caregivers in the throes of COVID-19.
- Assisting the elderly with early morning shopping and/or making store runs for them.
Please know that our Executive Team and Board of Directors are doing their best to be financially responsible and proactive. As an organization, USOSM continues working with legislative bodies, varying agencies and is keeping a very close eye on the Stimulus Bill currently awaiting approval. Should this Bill culminate, it could provide direct payments of $1,200/person; $2,400/family and, an additional $500 per each child. The following provides a link with more information and a calculator to help determine your individual return.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/business/coronavirus-stimulus-check-calculator/
We know this is an unsettling time for our nation, our families and our friends. We also acknowledge heightened levels of anxiety and uncertainty you may be feeling; actually, each of us is feeling. It is during these times that community is more important than ever. It’s a time to surround yourselves with – and lean into – those in whom you find peace, faith and strength.
