With the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus across the globe, around the country and now in Michigan, some important information has been made available that we would like to share with our members regarding steps to take if an employee becomes ill, as well as other preventative measures that can be put into place to help stop the disease from spreading further.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put out this guidance document for businesses and employers.
In addition, the U.S. and Michigan Chambers have also put together some helpful guidelines for employers to follow. These include guidance for employers, workplace tips and a toolkit to help businesses put a contingency plan in place. You can find the toolkit and other resources here.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is updating their information three times at day to keep customers up to speed on the most current information. You can click here to get the latest updates.
The State of Michigan, under direction from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, is also taking the spread of the virus very seriously and is monitoring the situation closely. Helpful information is available at michigan.gov/coronavirus. In addition, the State of Michigan has also issued this guidance document.
Michael Decker, a shareholder at Butzel Long law firm that specializes in construction legalities says that The construction industry is unique with respect to the coronavirus because construction contracts typically contain provisions about time for performance and fees for failing to perform on time. See, e.g., American Institute of Architects (AIA) A201 – 2017, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, § 8; Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC) C-700 – 2013, Standard General Conditions of the Construction Contract, § 4. Specifically, provisions stating that time is “of the essence” in the performance of the contract and providing for liquidated damages for failing to perform on time. See, e.g., AIA A201 – 2017 § 8.2.1 (stating that “Time limits stated in the Contract Document are of the essence of the Contract.”); EJCDC C-520 – 2013, Agreement Between Owner and Contract for Construction Contract, § 4.01 (stating that “All time limits…are of the essence of the Contract.”); AIA A201 – 2017 § 9.5.1.6 (providing for withholding of payment to cover liquidated damages if the work is not completed within the contract time); EJCDC C-520 – 2013 § 4.03 (providing for liquidated damages for not achieving the times specified within the contract).
If there are specifics to any of the collective bargaining agreements, MITA will forward to the appropriate contractors who are signatory to those contracts.
PREVENTION TIPS
Much like how you would try to prevent the flu, you want to stay away from people who are sick and practice good hygiene, says the CDC.
The latter means thoroughly washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
Avoid touching your mouth or face unless your hands are clean.
Use household cleaners to disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces.
Use disinfectant wipes to clean your hands and surfaces such as shopping-cart handles or gas station pumps when out in public.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Mike Nystrom, Executive Vice President, at mikenystrom@thinkmita.org or Lance Binoniemi, Vice President of Government Affairs, at lancebinoniemi@thinkmita.org. They both can be reached at 517-347-8336.
