With businesses starting to reopen, many Americans are receiving phone calls from their employers that it’s time to go back to work. For many, the decision seems easy (thanks to the CARES Act enhanced unemployment benefits).

“Why would I go back to work when I make more on unemployment?” 

It may not even be about the money – quite frankly, the fear of being exposed to COVID-19 or having a lack of child care are very real concerns as well. We understand. However, the decision might be a little more difficult than that. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you get that call to go back to work: 

Expanded Unemployment Benefits Only Last So Long

More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-march. These workers receive an additional $600 per week under the coronavirus stimulus bill for now, as the benefit will end July 31st. As of August 1st, benefits will return to the normal amount, which is around 40-45% of your previous income. 

According to Forbes, “Many experts predict the labor market to be tight through the end of the summer and potentially into the fall and winter quarters.” This makes it even more crucial to plan ahead and take advantage of employment opportunities before the expanded unemployment benefits run out. 

You May Disqualify Yourself From Unemployment

If your previous job is offered, you’re required to accept to avoid being disqualified from unemployment. The exceptions? If there are major changes to your previous job, or you decline because of a reason related to coronavirus. (For example, you need to care for a sick family member at home.) Beyond those reasons, declining a job offer could result in a loss of unemployment benefits. 

You May Lose Employer Benefits

Employees who are furloughed still have access to their healthcare and retirement benefits, however, if an employee declines their offer to go back – those benefits will end. Alternatively, employees would have to extend their health insurance through COBRA or purchase a plan on the healthcare marketplace under a special enrollment period.

Something to keep in mind: 

Employees who are working part-time are still eligible to receive the $600 federal benefit through July. To learn more, head here.

At the end of the day, it’s understandable to question whether or not you should return to work. As Catherine Brock from The Motley Fool says in her article, “While there’s no way to predict how the economy will respond in the next three or six months, it’s highly likely that the employment picture will be unpleasant for the rest of the year. If going back to work now insulates you from a dreary job market later, it may just be worth it — assuming you take the appropriate steps to stay safe and healthy.” 

With all this being said, we’re not here to scare or shame, as we understand every individual needs to make the best decision for themselves and their family. But, we do want you to know that we’re here for you through any decision you make. 

We’ve all heard the adage “Look for the helpers” during times of crisis. Now more than ever, community resources offer the help many of us need thanks to the aftershocks of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’ve experienced job and income loss, are behind on your rent or utilities, or have been otherwise adversely affected, there are several organizations that can help sustain you and your family in the weeks and months to come.

Large organizations like United Way and Salvation Army are great places to start, and partner with other organizations to help meet basic human needs. Here are other resources available in the communities we serve, and beyond.

MICHIGAN

Michigan 2-1-1 Find assistance with food, housing, rent and utility payments, mental health resources, and more.

Public School Meal Distribution Sites (if you don’t see your school listed, contact the school directly for more information):

• Kalamazoo Public Schools
• Portage Public Schools
• Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Battle Creek Public Schools
• Sturgis Public Schools

Feeding West Michigan Where to find food through Michigan when you need it.

WMU Invisible Needs Project Assists college students with food and other necessities.

MI Bridges State assistance for healthcare, food, child care, cash assistance, and more.

Michigan Unemployment All the information you need about filing for unemployment in Michigan.

OHIO (UNION & LOGAN COUNTIES)

Ohio 2-1-1 Find assistance with food, housing, rent and utility payments, mental health resources, and more.

United Way of Union County

United Way of Logan County

Public School Meal Distribution Sites (if you don’t see your school listed, contact the school directly for more information):

• Marysville Public Schools
• Bellefontaine Public Schools

Ohio.gov  State assistance for healthcare, food, child care, cash assistance, and more.

Ohio Unemployment All the information you need about filing for unemployment in Ohio.

INDIANA (TIPTON COUNTY)

Indiana 2-1-1 Find assistance with food, housing, rent and utility payments, mental health resources, and more.

United Way of Howard & Tipton Counties Housing and food assistance, services for veterans, and more.

Tipton Public Schools Meal Distribution Sites

Indiana Unemployment All the information you need about filing for unemployment in Indiana.

Family and Social Services Administration State assistance for healthcare, food, child care, cash assistance, and more.

We believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize two things: the health and well-being of our employees and client partners while also playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus. 

Through that lens, we will continue to make decisions based on the latest information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

We wanted to personally reach out to you and provide an update on the actions that WSI is taking to help prevent the spread of the virus and support the health and well-being of our employees, our client partners, and our communities.

What WSI Is Doing:

1. Constant communication with client partners:  WSI teams are in regular and constant communication with our clients to ensure they are following the recommended strategies for employers in the guidance outlined by the CDC to help prevent workplace exposures to COVID-19. We are also asking clients to inform us immediately of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 at their work site locations so that we can effectively communicate to our employees.
2. Asking employees to stay home if sick: We are asking that all WSI employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C]), signs of fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Please see guidance outlined below as to what you should do if you cannot go to work.
3. Communicating cough and sneeze etiquette and providing access to hand sanitization: We are encouraging all WSI employees to follow the CDC- recommended cough and sneeze etiquette, hand hygiene, and asking clients to promote this via signage or other means in their workplace.   
4. Frequent environmental cleaning: WSI and its clients are frequently cleaning and sanitizing all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. 

What Employees Can Do:

1. Communication: If you are well but have a sick family member at home with COVID-19, please notify your supervisor immediately.
2. If you are confirmed to have COVID-19: please notify WSI immediately. WSI will then inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
3. Follow the CDC-recommended cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene.

What to do if you can’t make it into work:

If you are sick or need to care for a family member at home with COVID-19, we ask that you contact both your WSI office (see contact info below), as well as your worksite supervisor. 

When calling WSI, please provide:

• Your name
• Worksite location and shift
• Worksite supervisor
• Reason why you cannot come to work
• The date you anticipate returning to work

Should you have any questions about our policies or practices, please feel free to contact WSI 24/7 via phone, text, or email.

Kalamazoo

• Call/Text: (269) 488-5100
• Email: kalamazoo_office@wsitalent.com

Battle Creek

• Call/Text:  (269) 968-1008
• Email: battle_creek_office@wsitalent.com

Grand Rapids

• Call/Text: (616) 957-8199
• Email: grand_rapids_office@wsitalent.com 

Sturgis

• Call/Text: (269) 488-5115
• Email: sturgis_office@wsitalent.com

Ohio

• Call/Text: (937) 240-4203
• Email: marysville_office@wsitalent.com

Tipton

• Call/Text: (317) 406-7644
• Email: indiana@wsitalent.com

Thank you for helping prevent the spread of the virus and supporting the health and well-being of our communities.

Referral Bonus

/rəˈfərəl/ /ˈbōnəs/

(noun)

An easy way to make $100 dollars. 

It’s a simple concept and one of our favorites here at WSI – refer a friend, get $100. 

If you have a friend who would be a good fit for our positions – have them apply! If hired, once they hit 80 working hours you’ll receive $100 – all they have to do is fill out a referral card when they apply. 

FAQ:

Can I refer a friend if I don’t work for WSI?

Yes! Anyone is eligible for the bonus, even if you’re not employed through WSI what-so-ever. 

How do I receive the $100?

If you’re hired-in through our clients or not working for WSI, you’ll receive the $100 through a gift card. If you’re on WSI payroll, you’ll receive the $100 in your paycheck. 

Do I have to keep track of my referrals’ hours?

Nope! We’ll reach out to you once your referral reaches 80 hours to make sure you get paid. 

Is there a limit to how many referrals I can submit?

Nope! Submit as many referrals as you want. 

So, what could you do with that extra cash? Don’t worry, we’ve made a list for you. 

GAS

GROCERIES

SHOPPING SPREE

DINNER

DATE NIGHT

Easiest $100 ever made. To print a referral card, head here.

Commutes can be tough. Not only are you playing mental gymnastics as you think about your tasks for the day, but there’s also the pit of anxiety you feel in your stomach when you try to figure out why it feels like you forgot something. Oh, and the traffic. The traffic is bad, too. If you’re looking for a way to calm your nerves on your drive, look no further. Here are 7 podcasts for your commute that will have you wishing your ride to work was just a little bit longer.

Stuff You Should Know

Sleepwalking. Human cannonballs. Photographic memory. Hosts, Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant take us through weird topics and how they work. If you’re bad at small talk or just need some new conversation starters, this is your podcast.

Arm Chair Expert

Being human is messy. Actor and Host, Dax Shepard, is fascinated by this and makes it his mission to explore other people’s stories (some pretty famous people’s stories, we might add). Get ready to laugh as you learn more about your favorite celebs.

Up and Vanished

This podcast features an amateur investigator who selected a missing person case from his hometown in Georgia. What was supposed to be a 6 episode season turned in 24 as new evidence and leads began to appear.

RISE by Rachel Hollis

If you’re looking for tangible tools to improve your life, Rachel Hollis is your girl. Our very own WSI Staffing Coordinator, Samantha, listens to RISE every morning and says, “I love everyone she interviews. I end up following them all on social media and it continues to grow my pool of inspiring people to look up to.”

Slate’s Working

Ever wonder what other people’s jobs are like? Us too. In this podcast, host Jordan Weissman, interviews Americans about their jobs. You’ll learn about the ins and outs of everything from toy designers, physicians, and even knights (yes, you read that correctly, knights).

Note to Self

Note to Self dives into how technology is changing our day-to-day lives. Host Manoush Zomorodi explores the good, the bad, and the ugly of the digital age while giving us a lot to think about along the way.

Headspace Meditation

For some of us, our commute is the only time we have to unwind during our busy days. If that’s the case, use it to the best of your ability! Here’s one specifically made for your commute: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/audio/2011/jan/27/headspace-commuting

Looking for a shorter commute that might not event warrant a podcast to pass the time? Head to workforwsi.com for a complete list of current openings.