Coronavirus

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Below you will find our guide on best practices companies should deploy to help their employees.

A message for struggling SMEs

'Even though fear is infectious, so too is courage'

Neil McDonnell
ISME CEO

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Irish businesses are in a much better position to counter the outbreak of an influenza epidemic than they were in the past, as they are less dependent on centralised facilities and can allow more people to work from home. However, many businesses conduct their affairs on a person-to-person basis, where it is more difficult to mitigate the risks of contamination. All business owners are now in a position to adopt basic levels of precaution ahead of Coronavirus entering the Irish population.

ISME has a specific page for members with updated information and templates from our support team here

Members Only Content

Templates and Resouces available for members here

Visit the Members Area
Returning to work

Things you need to consider if your business is staying open and if it is closing.

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Financial Support

This page looks at the financial supports for your business

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Staffing

All the information from the government about paying your staff & infomation from ISME HR on lay offs etc

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How will this affect your business

ISME goes through the various ways the virus impacts your business.

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Customer & Suppliers

Has your supply chain been affected and how will you communicate this to customer

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ISME

Watch Back: ISME Skillnet Q&A

A recording of our LIVE Q&A with ISME CEO, Neil McDonnell and ISME HR Advisor, Cait Lynch.

Watch Back
Remote Working

Tips from our member, Radius Technologies, on remote working

Find out more
Communicating with your staff

Tips from our member, Lorraine Murphy Coaching, on communicating with your staff

Find our more
ISME Members & Coronavirus
More detail

Latest Updates:

  • The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today confirmed that a change to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) will be made to accommodate the salaries of those who have returned to work after a period of maternity or adoptive leave and who may not have been on the payroll of their employer on 29 February, or been paid in either January or February 2020; requirements for qualification for the scheme. Find out more here.
  • The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, confirmed on Friday 29th May, that the Cabinet has decided to extend the suspension of redundancy provisions relating to temporary lay-off and short-time work which arose as a result of Covid-19 until August 10th. More information can be found here.
  • Minister Humphreys published the National Return to Work Safely Protocol on 9th May available online at Return to Work Safely Protocol.
  • The Small Business Recovery Plan is avaialbe to view here
  • The governments road map is available to view here.
  • Version 10 of Revenue's FAQs on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme
  • Latest updates on the Wage Subsidy Scheme from ISME HR here
  • The expansion of business supports was announced by Minister Humphreys on 8th April, view details here.
  • FAQ booklet on COVID-19 Income Supports available here
  • COVID-19 Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide from NSAI is available here
  • Government announce list of essential services. Read in full here
  • Government announce a National COVID-19 Income Support Scheme. This will provide financial support to Irish workers and companies affected by the crisis. Read Here More information about the Wage Subsidy Scheme can be found here
  • Support for businesses impacted by COVID 19 through commercial rates deferral. Read here
  • The latest announcements from DBEI is available here
  • Updates from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are available here
  • There has been an update to the Employer Refund Scheme, allowing employers engaged with the scheme to top up the payment provided by the State. Find out more here
  • Minister Doherty announced details of the COVID-19 Employer Refund Scheme on 18 March, read full details here.
  • Minister Humphreys announces supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19 on Wednesday 11th March 2020, read about it here.
  • Recruitment: The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has advised us that businesses can contact [email protected] with details of their requirements and a response can be activated centrally via Intreo offices and case officers undertaking matching against existing job seekers.

Conclusion:

ISME recommends that an appropriate person is designated within the company to develop a contingency plan to ensure that there is no delay in implementing agreed actions when required.

Remember, there is no way to predict what will happen with Coronavirus, however with the right planning you can limit the amount of impact to your company, employees and customers.

For more support contact ISME Members Services on 01-6622755


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