“While the process of being let go in a downsizing effort is a challenging and emotional journey I am so grateful to have worked with Jared Sugerman and Gregory Tumolo of Duffy & Sweeney. They took the opportunity to really listen, discuss my options and make sure I was aware of every option available to me under Rhode Island law, presenting those being skirted to my previous employer to ensure proper compliance. Their efforts and assistance has assisted in my abilities to start my own company, something I have always wanted to accomplish. They will be first on my list for all future legal needs.”
Christopher Wilczewski, Founder
Functional 3D
“I am forever thankful and indebted to you for this help! Thank you so much for your time and helping with the clarity I need to move forward with postponing and taking on new clients post-Covid 19!”
Erica T. Martell
Makeup Artist
? Our HOTLINE: March through June 2020
As Rhode Island braced to deal with the emerging pandemic, Duffy & Sweeney launched its free Here-2-Help HOTLINE to share our expertise and give back to our community. Originally started in March and running through June, Duffy & Sweeney lawyers and paralegals answered dozens of emails and calls from small business owners struggling with limited resources to get needed legal and business guidance and information during the COVID-19 crisis. The firm also collected and developed resources to assist businesses and employees navigating COVID-19 related issues. Those resources can be accessed through the links below.
? Some Areas Where We Can Help
HR/Employment Law
Landlord/Lease Issues
Contract Issues/Extensions
Lender/Loan Deferments
Insurance Policy Questions
Business Crisis Response
? Frequently Asked Questions
Employee Benefits: Furloughs/Layoffs/Reductions-in-Force
Wage and Hour Issues
Workplace Health and Safety
Employee Rights Under ADA/FMLA
Workers’ Compensation
Force Majeure Provisions in Contracts
Workshare
? D&S Alerts-Guidance-Webinars
- Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines: Can Employers Require Employees to Get Vaccinated? November 19, 2020
- Lions and Tigers and Bears ( … deferrals and defaults and workouts) OH MY! September 10, 2020
- Back to Business: Advice for Employers Dealing with Employees Scared to Return to Work August 24, 2020
- Patrick Guida Authors Article on COVID Contracts for Bar Journal May 29, 2020
- From PBN: WorkShare for Business in Crisis by Stacey Nakasian & Jared Sugerman May 15, 2020
- Important Landlord Rights & Tenant Responsibilities During COVID-19 May 11, 2020
- Workplace Safety: Dos & Don’ts of Screening Employees for COVID-19 May 5, 2020
- The Post-Covid Workplace: Vital Considerations May 4, 2020
- Summary Chart: Rights-Benefits For Workers Under Federal-RI-MA Law April 28, 2020
- Mike Sweeney Part of RI & MA Lawyers Weekly Story on PPP April 26, 2020
? Other Trusted Resources
The Paycheck Protection Program has issued a fact sheet with a link to download the application.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has prepared a clear and concise summary of the CARES Act provisions of greatest interest to employers and HR professionals.
UBS Private Wealth Management shared Coronavirus Relief Resources for US Business Owners
Our friends at Hilb Group shared this Compliance Alert: Agency Guidance on the Coronavirus Response Act. https://mailchi.mp/hilbgroup/covid19-responseact2?e=992b5e6ab8
? Important links:
- RI SHRM Guidance from RI DLT
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Interim guidance for businesses
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Recommended prevention and treatment practices
- Massachusetts Information on the Outbreak of Coronavirus DIsease 2-19
- OSHA Coronavirus Page
- OSHA Emergency Preparedness and Response Page
- OSHA Standards and How They Apply to the Coronavirus
- Rhode Island Department of Health Coronavirus Page
- World Health Organization – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
- World Health Organization – Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports
- Emergency Action Plan – Sample Written Program – OSH.net