Business Update - Weekly Digest for June 16, 2021

Before the pandemic, commuting was widely considered the worst part of one’s day and only worsened one’s sense of well-being. However, now that most office workers have skipped the commute for more than a year, the hidden benefits are emerging. Commuting serves as a distinct boundary between the home and office. Each place has distinct expectations for behavior and engagement, and without that clear demarcation, it can be difficult to switch on the correct persona, and to switch off the other persona. To regain a sense of separation between home and work, the author of this article in The Atlantic suggests tactics such as changing into work-appropriate clothing or going for a walk or run. Even covering your computer with a cloth at the end of a workday can signal that it’s time to switch all work activities off.

There is another issue that is becoming more prevalent in the workplace: required vaccinations. Expect to see more controversy and legislation regarding this issue worldwide. This week, the UK is facing a great deal of heat due to their requirement to make vaccinations compulsory for healthcare workers. In the US, this topic has been bouncing around for a bit longer as reported in this New York Times article regarding the fact that yes, you can be required to be vaccinated before going back to work.

THE AMERICAN RECOVERY PLAN ACT (ARPA)

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The PPP was a lifeline for many small businesses, and while Congress has passed legislation that makes the proceeds of forgiven PPP loans tax free, not all states are following suit. California, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington have all either passed legislation that makes PPP loan proceeds taxable at the state level or are considering doing so. In some states, the proceeds themselves will be treated as taxable income, while in others, any expenses paid with the proceeds will not be deductible.

Unemployment Refund Checks

The IRS is in the process of sending out refund checks to taxpayers who received unemployment income, but who filed their return before Congress exempted up to $10,200 of that from federal income tax. However, figuring out whether you’re eligible and how much you may receive can be challenging, as that refund is not likely tracked with the usual Where’s My Refund tool. This article on CNet explains a workaround that involves checking your tax transcript.

Monthly Child Tax Credit Payments

The IRS launched a new tool on its website to help families who normally do not file tax returns sign up for the monthly advance child tax credits. This new tool is for families that did not file a 2019 or 2020 income tax return and who did not use the IRS non-filer tool last year to sign up for Economic Impact Payments. The IRS also cautions that scams around this credit are rampant. The only way to get this credit or Economic Impact Payments is through the IRS by filing a tax return or signing up on the IRS website. The IRS will never approach taxpayers initially via phone, text, or email.

Meanwhile, even though the IRS is still working through a backlog of tax returns, the agency has been sending out letters to 36 million families to alert them that they may be eligible for monthly child tax credit payments. These payments are scheduled to begin in July. While families have the option to opt out of these payments, the IRS has not yet created a method for doing so.

REMOTE WORK

The employees who left the office to work at home a year ago are not the same as the employees who are returning to the office now. Working remotely has changed them. They have become accustomed to setting their own schedules and having more autonomy over how, when, and where they do their work. Bosses and managers may need to renew each relationship as if they are starting from scratch. Some may have acquired new skills or the ability to identify tasks and deadlines on their own. While some managers may not be willing to allow their in-office employees the same level of autonomy they had working remotely, it may help to recall that, overall, most employees were more productive at home.

REOPENING THE OFFICE

Adjusting to an all-remote work routine may seem easy compared to the new adjustments to a messy hybrid work schedule. Among the adjustments will be determining which teams will be in the office on which days and ensuring that any fully remote workers don’t fall behind in promotions and raises. Some companies report difficulties in finding knowledgeable workers willing to come to the office five days a week. Others are offering remote staff memberships at co-working spaces near their homes. Companies that switched to a hybrid workforce before the pandemic report that it was difficult to prevent remote workers from feeling left out of social activities for the in-office crew.

As employees return to the office, employers and employees alike need to be alert to signs of burnout among employees. Burnout generally stems from three root causes: depletion of mental or physical resources; depletion of social connectedness; or depletion of self-value. A 15-minute meditation break can help with exhaustion, while sharing a coffee with a co-worker can help with feelings of social isolation. Both of those interventions can also help increase feelings of self-worth.

Reopening for business is proving more challenging for many businesses because they can’t find enough employees. This is especially true in the retail industry, so many businesses are offering sign-on bonuses to new hires. This tactic, which until now had been rare among retailers, is generally less expensive than offering higher wages. Amazon is offering $1,000 sign-on bonuses in many locations, and a supermarket chain in the Northeast is offering $2,000 bonuses for its distribution center.

Travel Plans for the Summer???

An increasing number of people are itching to take advantage of the summer months in the old traditional way before the pandemic: travel. If you are fully vaccinated, you are in luck because a number of European countries have opened their borders to fully vaccinated travelers. Some of the countries that will allow you to visit include Croatia, Iceland, Greece and Italy. For a full list, check out this Travel + Leisure article. Just remember, that Delta variant is still running rampant worldwide. Please make sure that you bring a few backup masks!

Happy Animal News

While this might not be happy animal news, it is news you should be aware of if you are a dog lover. The CDC is temporarily banning dogs from at least 100 countries beginning July 14th. This is primarily due to two issues: increasing document falsifications from breeders located in the listed countries as well as a growing rabies threat. If you were planning on adopting a foreign dog, you should be aware of the time constraints involved.

In better dog news, if you feel that your dog is picking up on your cues, you’re right! There was a recent study done regarding how some puppies can take directions from humans without any training. Dogs and other pets can also keep you company if you still get to work at home. They are definite morale boosters!