COVID-19


Current Business Status

On Thursday May 7, Michigan Gov Whitmer issued executive order 2020-77 which allows for workers necessary to perform manufacturing activities to resume operations effective at 12:01 am on May 11, 2020.  Read the executive order here: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-528460–,00.html

We will be ramping up operations in intervals over several weeks. Employees will be contacted by either their manager or HR with a return-to-work date as soon as it is determined when the best time is for each employee to return. Our goal is to be back to 100% by the end of May.

Although we are working, it isn’t business as usual. In accordance with the Governor’s EO 2020-77, face masks are required upon entry to our facilities. Face masks may be removed at your work station as long as you can consistently maintain at least 6 feet social distancing from others. We are providing masks to all employees, however you may wear your own cloth mask if your position does not require you to wear a particular type of mask or respirator. More information will be provided upon your return to work.

We are currently closed to the public, non-essential visitors, and employees who are not yet back to work. Essential visitors must have an appointment, and are subject to a health assessment before entry in addition to the face mask requirement.

Business Status, April 9 – May 7

On Thursday April 9, Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-42 which extended the shutdown of all Michigan business on April 9, 2020 at 11:59 pm and continues through Thursday April 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm: Read the executive order here: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-525182–,00.html

At this time, we are only performing work for customers who have met a very specific set of criteria. The balance of our plant remains shut down for an additional three weeks in order to comply with the intention of the order and reduce the spread of the virus. Our plan at this time is to begin re-opening for business on Monday May 4.

Because the situation remains fluid and governmental restrictions are changing daily, employees will be notified with a phone call or email from HR or their manager with their return to work date.

Business Status, March 23 – April 8

On Monday March 23, Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-21 which shut down all Michigan business at 12:01 am on Tuesday March 24 and continues through Monday April 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm. Read the executive order here: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-522626–,00.html

On Wednesday March 25, we received approval from the Governor to resume work on projects that are deemed Essential Businesses and Operations. For purposes of this order, critical infrastructure workers are those workers described by the Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in his guidance of March 19, 2020 on the COVID-19 response available here: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA-Guidance-on-Essential-Critical-Infrastructure-Workers-1-20-508c.pdf

We are a Tier 1 Finished Good supplier to many contract furniture manufacturers. During this period of shut down, we are only performing work for customers who have met a very specific set of criteria. The balance of our plant remains shut down for the next three weeks in order to comply with the intention of the order and reduce the spread of the virus.

Covid-19 Unemployment Benefits

Eligible employees are strongly encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits online at Michigan.gov/UIA  or by calling 866-500-0017. A factsheet on how to apply for benefits can also be found online.

Spectrum Health Info Page

www.spectrumhealth.org/covid19

Spectrum Health is offering free virtual screenings for COVID-19 for Michigan Residents.  If you are experiencing symptoms, call the hotline number at 616-391-2380.  Hotline callers will be scheduled for a free virtual screening through Spectrum Health Now, a telehealth service that connects people with providers 24/7.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Resources for Home

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html

Letter To Employees

To All,

We do take this situation seriously and are doing everything possible to keep us all safe. Please follow all the guidelines issues earlier, especially not coming to work if you are ill.

While staying safe we still need to live and work and we plan to continue doing so as long as our customers need furniture! So, we will operate as usual but with extra precautions in place.

We hope that by following the guidelines we can all stay well, but if you are sick or have a related issue, we will be here to help in every way we can. You do not have to feel alone, we are in this together.

There is scientific evidence that anxiety and fear can weaken our immune system, so let us be positive and strong for ourselves, our families and each other.

And as my granddaddy always said (among many other things) “someday this will be just a memory” ; so this too shall pass.

Scott Scott F. Gilmore
President