Post by pandemicworld on Mar 19, 2020 5:21:48 GMT
What to Do If You Can’t Work During an Emergency and Where to Look
As officials try to limit the spread of coronavirus, working from home is becoming more common (even if it isn’t by choice). However, not all employers can offer a work-from-home option. Many jobs require an in-person presence every day.
While there are “obvious” industries that are taking a hard hit from coronavirus, there are lesser known industries that are also getting affected, causing slowdowns and complications for workers.
Fortunately, there are some flexible and temporary remote work options that can help workers in industries impacted by coronavirus earn an income.
Which Industries are Affected and How
When you think of the “obvious” industries affected by coronavirus (travel and tourism, for example), it’s important to understand that the impact doesn’t end with that one industry. There is an unseen ripple effect that spreads to “adjacent” industries. These industries and employees are just as heavily impacted, if not more so, by coronavirus.
Airlines
The airline industry is, of course, taking a huge hit right now. The major U.S. carriers have waived rebooking fees for the rest of the year, are cutting international service, and also reducing domestic capacity. As a result, nearly all U.S. airlines are expecting lower revenue for the next several months and may need a bailout to help survive the massive and unexpected slowdown in air travel.
Because the airlines are reducing capacity, demand for new aircrafts is down, which means fewer technicians are needed to build the aircraft. And, because there are fewer flights (and fewer travelers), bagger handlers and skycaps aren’t needed for as many shifts at the airports (and earn fewer tips).
Tourism
There is also less need for tour guides, security guards, and even locker attendants as tourist attractions close around the world. Examples include:
Disney World in Orlando (and, they just announced they are waiving cancelation fees for trips with arrivals through June 30, 2020).
Disney Land in California
The Louvre and Eiffel Tower in Paris are closed
The Taj Mahal is closed
All Smithsonian Museums, the National Archives, and many other tourist attractions in Washington DC are closed.
Accommodations
The hit to the travel industry has also meant a drop in Airbnb bookings. As one example, one Airbnb host found their bookings decrease to zero — down from 80% since January.
Traditional hotels are suffering, too. Coronavirus has, for example, forced the closure of 14 hotels and casinos in LasVegas. And while larger hotel chains may have more resources to absorb the hit, the reality is that overall hotel occupancy is down to 61.8% in March due to cancellations. The normal occupancy rate for March is nearly 70%
Because fewer people are traveling and staying in rental accommodations, there is less of a need for maids to clean the rooms. And, now, Marriott, for example, has started furloughing housekeepers.
The Gig Economy
While some parts of the gig economy are impacted more than others, this newer sector of the economy is getting hit. Uber and Lyft have suspended shared rides. And drivers are reporting that they are picking up fewer riders than usual.
Dining and Restaurants
Many dine-in establishments have moved to a carry-out and delivery model or closed down completely. In some states, the closures are mandatory. However, in some cases, the establishment decided to switch to delivery to protect everyone. Chick-fil-a, Starbucks, and Wendy’s are all examples. Many independent restaurants are rushing to delivery, as well.
However, traditional restaurants aren’t the only dining establishments affected by coronavirus. Caterers and event halls are taking a huge hit as individuals and organizations cancel events.
Events
Because the current recommendation is that no more than groups of 10 gather at a time, many events are canceled or postponed. From the large and commercial, to the small and personal, events and gatherings are no longer happening.
Broadway theaters in New York are canceling shows.
The Kentucky Derby is postponed until September 5.
The NBA, Major League Soccer, NHL, and MLB have all paused their seasons.
Major League Baseball has moved opening day.
The NCAA canceled March Madness.
Numerous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and parades were canceled.
Many operas and orchestras have suspended performances.
South by Southwest was canceled.
The Tribeca Film Festival and Coachella are postponed.
However, smaller events are impacted, too. In some cases, because gatherings over 50 people are prohibited, there’s no choice but to cancel weddings and funeral services.
Because the events are no longer happening, event planners and coordinators, florists, DJs and bands, photographers and videographers, and even bakeries are all affected.
Retail
While some retail outlets are thriving (think grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and Amazon), the same is not true for all retail employees. Many retail outlets are closing their stores temporarily to keep staff and customers safe.
Patagonia
Warby Parker
Abercrombie & Fitch
Apple
J. Crew
Lush
Nike
Nordstrom
REI
Logistics
Truck drivers are losing work as supply chain interruptions have resulted in a significant disruption in goods arriving in ports for shipping.
How Employees Are Affected
The CDC advises that employers encourage staff to stay home to help limit exposure and the spread of coronavirus. For some, that means working from home. But, in some industries, that means using up sick or vacation time to make up for the lost wages.
However, not every employee is eligible for paid time off, and not every company offers paid time off period. Though some companies have heeded the call to provide paid leave to workers who can’t work-from-home or need to take time off due to coronavirus (Walmart, Uber, Lyft, Starbucks, and Instacart, for example), these policy tweaks may not be enough.
Paid Time Off Is Not Federally Mandatory
The Department of Labor (DOL) states that no employer is required to offer paid vacation to any staff member. And, if an employee takes time off without using any accrued paid leave, the employer can legally dock that person’s pay.
That said, staff that can work-from-home can work and be paid, even when they are an hourly employee. However, the same is not true for hourly employees that must do their job in-person. The DOL also states that employers only have to pay hourly staff for the hours they’ve worked. If the business is shut down for any reason, and the hourly employee can’t work, they do not get paid for those missed hours.
Not All Employers Can Afford Paid Leave
While paid leave may not be federally mandated, some states require employers to offer it. Currently, 12 states and the District of Columbia require employers to give employees some form of paid sick leave. The requirements vary by state (and some state laws don’t kick in until 2021), but it still may not be enough.
For example, in Michigan, the benefit does not apply to private employers with less than 50 employees. And employees only earn one hour of sick leave for every 35 hours that they work, to a maximum of 40 paid sick hours per year.
Small companies may have a hard time offering sick leave and staying in business during the outbreak. For example, in Oregon, employers must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave. But in a small company, if more than a few people are out sick at the same time, not only would the company have to pay the sick time, they might have to shut down due to a lack of staff. That would mean lost income for the business and possibly, shutting down permanently.
Freelancing Could Be a Lifeline
Whether your hours are cut, or you’ve been laid off, the fact is you need to make-up that income. And if you can’t collect unemployment, you may need to turn to freelance, temporary and flexible work. Fortunately, we’ve got lots of freelance opportunities that also let you work-from-home.
If you don’t think you’ve got the right skills or education for these jobs, think again. You might have some fantastic transferable skills that will make you the right fit for many of these jobs. And some of these opportunities don’t require a college degree.
Furthermore, if you’re unfamiliar with remote work, we’ve created LinkedIn Learning courses to help you learn common best practices, and how to maximize your productivity.
Finding a Remote Job
Become a Successful Remote Worker
Using the Right Tools
Here Are Job Categories that Offer Flexible and Remote Freelance Positions
Data Entry
If you’re fast and accurate on a keyboard, data entry is another flexible job you can do remotely. All you need is a computer and internet connection, and you’re good to go. While the work may not be the flashiest, it is a job that almost always lets you set your own hours.
Recent internet data entry positions posted on FlexJobs:
Administrative Clerk
Program Assistant
Accounting Clerk
Companies that hire for freelance data entry jobs:
Kelly Services
Randstad
Kforce
Customer Service
With everyone staying home, there are probably lots of questions to answer. Technical questions, order tracking, delivery questions — you name it, there’s a question. In many cases, working in customer support only requires a decent internet connection, letting you help out from the comfort of your home.
Recent customer support positions posted on FlexJobs:
Customer Support, Tech Support
Customer Support Agent
Customer Support Manager
Companies that hire for freelance customer service jobs:
Kelly Services
LanguageLine Solutions
Pitchup
Administrative
People in the administrative field provide supportive functions to either an individual (like a CEO) or the entire company. This flexible field often hires part-time employees, making it easy for you to work the hours that are most convenient for you.
Recent administrative positions posted on FlexJobs:
Commercial Title Assistant
Patient Appointment Services Specialist
Administrative Clerk
Companies that hire for freelance customer service jobs:
Profit Factory
BELAY
Kelly Services
Education and Training
Believe it or not, this growing field does not only hire teachers. For example, VIPKID, an online English tutoring company, will accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field. You can work from wherever you want and whenever you want.
Recent education and training positions posted on FlexJobs:
Online ESL Teacher
Instructional Designer
Virtual Learning Coach
Companies that hire for freelance education and training jobs
K12
Trilogy Education Services
Georgia Military College – GMC
Writing
Everyone has a story to tell, but sometimes, they need a little help telling it. That’s where a writer comes in. If you love telling stories or enjoy helping brands get their message out, writing can be a fantastic freelance job. You can do it from anywhere whenever you’ve got the time.
Recent writing positions posted on FlexJobs:
Technical Editor
Content Writer
Copywriter
Companies that hire for freelance writing jobs:
Valnet
Randstad
24 Seven
Freelance Work Can Help
Freelancing can help you earn an income when other options are scarce. Consider this an opportunity to test out freelance work and see if it’s something you might want to pursue.
Be sure to read up on what it takes to be a successful freelancer, how to land a freelance gig when you don’t have any experience, and how to find more freelance gigs. And consider signing up for our newsletter for more tips. Once a week, you’ll get blog posts, special offers, and featured jobs delivered right to your inbox.
While there are “obvious” industries that are taking a hard hit from coronavirus, there are lesser known industries that are also getting affected, causing slowdowns and complications for workers.
Fortunately, there are some flexible and temporary remote work options that can help workers in industries impacted by coronavirus earn an income.
Which Industries are Affected and How
When you think of the “obvious” industries affected by coronavirus (travel and tourism, for example), it’s important to understand that the impact doesn’t end with that one industry. There is an unseen ripple effect that spreads to “adjacent” industries. These industries and employees are just as heavily impacted, if not more so, by coronavirus.
Airlines
The airline industry is, of course, taking a huge hit right now. The major U.S. carriers have waived rebooking fees for the rest of the year, are cutting international service, and also reducing domestic capacity. As a result, nearly all U.S. airlines are expecting lower revenue for the next several months and may need a bailout to help survive the massive and unexpected slowdown in air travel.
Because the airlines are reducing capacity, demand for new aircrafts is down, which means fewer technicians are needed to build the aircraft. And, because there are fewer flights (and fewer travelers), bagger handlers and skycaps aren’t needed for as many shifts at the airports (and earn fewer tips).
Tourism
There is also less need for tour guides, security guards, and even locker attendants as tourist attractions close around the world. Examples include:
Disney World in Orlando (and, they just announced they are waiving cancelation fees for trips with arrivals through June 30, 2020).
Disney Land in California
The Louvre and Eiffel Tower in Paris are closed
The Taj Mahal is closed
All Smithsonian Museums, the National Archives, and many other tourist attractions in Washington DC are closed.
Accommodations
The hit to the travel industry has also meant a drop in Airbnb bookings. As one example, one Airbnb host found their bookings decrease to zero — down from 80% since January.
Traditional hotels are suffering, too. Coronavirus has, for example, forced the closure of 14 hotels and casinos in LasVegas. And while larger hotel chains may have more resources to absorb the hit, the reality is that overall hotel occupancy is down to 61.8% in March due to cancellations. The normal occupancy rate for March is nearly 70%
Because fewer people are traveling and staying in rental accommodations, there is less of a need for maids to clean the rooms. And, now, Marriott, for example, has started furloughing housekeepers.
The Gig Economy
While some parts of the gig economy are impacted more than others, this newer sector of the economy is getting hit. Uber and Lyft have suspended shared rides. And drivers are reporting that they are picking up fewer riders than usual.
Dining and Restaurants
Many dine-in establishments have moved to a carry-out and delivery model or closed down completely. In some states, the closures are mandatory. However, in some cases, the establishment decided to switch to delivery to protect everyone. Chick-fil-a, Starbucks, and Wendy’s are all examples. Many independent restaurants are rushing to delivery, as well.
However, traditional restaurants aren’t the only dining establishments affected by coronavirus. Caterers and event halls are taking a huge hit as individuals and organizations cancel events.
Events
Because the current recommendation is that no more than groups of 10 gather at a time, many events are canceled or postponed. From the large and commercial, to the small and personal, events and gatherings are no longer happening.
Broadway theaters in New York are canceling shows.
The Kentucky Derby is postponed until September 5.
The NBA, Major League Soccer, NHL, and MLB have all paused their seasons.
Major League Baseball has moved opening day.
The NCAA canceled March Madness.
Numerous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and parades were canceled.
Many operas and orchestras have suspended performances.
South by Southwest was canceled.
The Tribeca Film Festival and Coachella are postponed.
However, smaller events are impacted, too. In some cases, because gatherings over 50 people are prohibited, there’s no choice but to cancel weddings and funeral services.
Because the events are no longer happening, event planners and coordinators, florists, DJs and bands, photographers and videographers, and even bakeries are all affected.
Retail
While some retail outlets are thriving (think grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and Amazon), the same is not true for all retail employees. Many retail outlets are closing their stores temporarily to keep staff and customers safe.
Patagonia
Warby Parker
Abercrombie & Fitch
Apple
J. Crew
Lush
Nike
Nordstrom
REI
Logistics
Truck drivers are losing work as supply chain interruptions have resulted in a significant disruption in goods arriving in ports for shipping.
How Employees Are Affected
The CDC advises that employers encourage staff to stay home to help limit exposure and the spread of coronavirus. For some, that means working from home. But, in some industries, that means using up sick or vacation time to make up for the lost wages.
However, not every employee is eligible for paid time off, and not every company offers paid time off period. Though some companies have heeded the call to provide paid leave to workers who can’t work-from-home or need to take time off due to coronavirus (Walmart, Uber, Lyft, Starbucks, and Instacart, for example), these policy tweaks may not be enough.
Paid Time Off Is Not Federally Mandatory
The Department of Labor (DOL) states that no employer is required to offer paid vacation to any staff member. And, if an employee takes time off without using any accrued paid leave, the employer can legally dock that person’s pay.
That said, staff that can work-from-home can work and be paid, even when they are an hourly employee. However, the same is not true for hourly employees that must do their job in-person. The DOL also states that employers only have to pay hourly staff for the hours they’ve worked. If the business is shut down for any reason, and the hourly employee can’t work, they do not get paid for those missed hours.
Not All Employers Can Afford Paid Leave
While paid leave may not be federally mandated, some states require employers to offer it. Currently, 12 states and the District of Columbia require employers to give employees some form of paid sick leave. The requirements vary by state (and some state laws don’t kick in until 2021), but it still may not be enough.
For example, in Michigan, the benefit does not apply to private employers with less than 50 employees. And employees only earn one hour of sick leave for every 35 hours that they work, to a maximum of 40 paid sick hours per year.
Small companies may have a hard time offering sick leave and staying in business during the outbreak. For example, in Oregon, employers must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave. But in a small company, if more than a few people are out sick at the same time, not only would the company have to pay the sick time, they might have to shut down due to a lack of staff. That would mean lost income for the business and possibly, shutting down permanently.
Freelancing Could Be a Lifeline
Whether your hours are cut, or you’ve been laid off, the fact is you need to make-up that income. And if you can’t collect unemployment, you may need to turn to freelance, temporary and flexible work. Fortunately, we’ve got lots of freelance opportunities that also let you work-from-home.
If you don’t think you’ve got the right skills or education for these jobs, think again. You might have some fantastic transferable skills that will make you the right fit for many of these jobs. And some of these opportunities don’t require a college degree.
Furthermore, if you’re unfamiliar with remote work, we’ve created LinkedIn Learning courses to help you learn common best practices, and how to maximize your productivity.
Finding a Remote Job
Become a Successful Remote Worker
Using the Right Tools
Here Are Job Categories that Offer Flexible and Remote Freelance Positions
Data Entry
If you’re fast and accurate on a keyboard, data entry is another flexible job you can do remotely. All you need is a computer and internet connection, and you’re good to go. While the work may not be the flashiest, it is a job that almost always lets you set your own hours.
Recent internet data entry positions posted on FlexJobs:
Administrative Clerk
Program Assistant
Accounting Clerk
Companies that hire for freelance data entry jobs:
Kelly Services
Randstad
Kforce
Customer Service
With everyone staying home, there are probably lots of questions to answer. Technical questions, order tracking, delivery questions — you name it, there’s a question. In many cases, working in customer support only requires a decent internet connection, letting you help out from the comfort of your home.
Recent customer support positions posted on FlexJobs:
Customer Support, Tech Support
Customer Support Agent
Customer Support Manager
Companies that hire for freelance customer service jobs:
Kelly Services
LanguageLine Solutions
Pitchup
Administrative
People in the administrative field provide supportive functions to either an individual (like a CEO) or the entire company. This flexible field often hires part-time employees, making it easy for you to work the hours that are most convenient for you.
Recent administrative positions posted on FlexJobs:
Commercial Title Assistant
Patient Appointment Services Specialist
Administrative Clerk
Companies that hire for freelance customer service jobs:
Profit Factory
BELAY
Kelly Services
Education and Training
Believe it or not, this growing field does not only hire teachers. For example, VIPKID, an online English tutoring company, will accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field. You can work from wherever you want and whenever you want.
Recent education and training positions posted on FlexJobs:
Online ESL Teacher
Instructional Designer
Virtual Learning Coach
Companies that hire for freelance education and training jobs
K12
Trilogy Education Services
Georgia Military College – GMC
Writing
Everyone has a story to tell, but sometimes, they need a little help telling it. That’s where a writer comes in. If you love telling stories or enjoy helping brands get their message out, writing can be a fantastic freelance job. You can do it from anywhere whenever you’ve got the time.
Recent writing positions posted on FlexJobs:
Technical Editor
Content Writer
Copywriter
Companies that hire for freelance writing jobs:
Valnet
Randstad
24 Seven
Freelance Work Can Help
Freelancing can help you earn an income when other options are scarce. Consider this an opportunity to test out freelance work and see if it’s something you might want to pursue.
Be sure to read up on what it takes to be a successful freelancer, how to land a freelance gig when you don’t have any experience, and how to find more freelance gigs. And consider signing up for our newsletter for more tips. Once a week, you’ll get blog posts, special offers, and featured jobs delivered right to your inbox.