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Employees Report Increased Distractions, Irregular Work Hours When Working From Home

  • A recent survey finds that about eight in 10 workers use their smartphone for personal use during work hours, and fall victim to numerous other distractions as well
  • Respondents say distractions are a key factor in disrupting their workflow, forcing them to work irregular hours
  • Few want permanent work from home arrangements, but favor an office/home mix
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Restaurants Advocate Relief Funds, Multi-Decade Loans as Survival Strategies Against COVID-19 Downturn

  • Restaurant industry report says 85 percent of independent restaurants could be forced to close if relief is not forthcoming
  • One plan calls for $120 billion to support restaurants, but others support loans with extremely long terms
  • Restaurant workers make up largest category of newly unemployed as industry faces an “existential crisis”
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Accountants Urge Patience On Applying for PPP Forgiveness

  • Clarification on Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness likely to arrive after latest round of COVID-19 legislation
  • Accountants urge borrowers not to rush applications for PPP forgiveness due to dynamic situation
  • Watch out for the 10-month mark, when the loan can no longer be forgiven
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Connecticut Eases Restaurant Restrictions As Reopening Advances

  • Connecticut DECD eases some restrictions on reopening restaurants
  • Additional guidelines presented for offices, retail, and other venues
  • Phase 3 of Connecticut reopening remains on hold
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Two-Thirds of Workers Say Mental Health is Suffering Under Remote Work

  • A survey of more than 9,700 workers say they believe that working from home is hurting their mental health
  • Isolation, lack of work-home separation identified as key problems
  • Results highlight need for companies to have mental health resources available
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DECD: Negative COVID-19 Test No Longer Required For Connecticut Residents to Return to Work

  • Based on updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development says workers who contracted COVID-19 no longer need to test negative for the virus before returning to work
  • Individuals should still meet three criteria to safely resume workplace activities
  • Extra caution recommended for workers whose cases were more severe
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Small Business Employment Recovery Falters In States With Rising COVID-19 Numbers

  • Job recovery at small- and medium-sized businesses has slowed or reversed in states that have seen a recent surge in COVID-19 cases
  • Employment at these companies is down 23 percent on an annual basis
  • Effect largely concentrated in Sun Belt states, where shutdown orders have been reinstated
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COVID-19 Pandemic Gives Connecticut Opportunity for Greater Regional Cooperation

  • As work-from-home arrangements become more commonplace after COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut has the opportunity to pursue partnerships with neighboring states to strengthen the region’s economy
  • Aging infrastructure, increasing number of residents working outside the state have been challenges
  • Informal talks on issue began in March
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“Let’s Go 860” Campaign Boosts Promotion of Southeastern Connecticut Businesses

  • Let’s Go 860 marketing campaign lets residents of southeastern Connecticut know which businesses have reopened after COVID-19 shutdowns
  • Google Maps and traditional advertising involved in effort to address confusion over status of small businesses
  • Partners include local chambers of commerce and media
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Small Business Employees Return to Work – With Reduced Hours and Wages

  • Data shows a 2.4 percent increase in small business headcount in June compared to the previous month
  • Cuts in hours and pay rates have been more than furloughs likely to account for reduced wages
  • Employees have also shown an increased willingness to voluntarily leave a job for new opportunities
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