A guide to managing your (newly) remote employees
Although it is always preferable to establish clear remote-work policies and training in advance, in times of crisis or other rapidly changing circumstances, this level of preparation may not be feasible. Fortunately, there are specific, research-based steps that managers can take without great effort to improve the engagement and productivity of remote employees, even when there is little time to prepare. – Harvard Business Review
Essential businesses remain open, forced to operate differently
Non-essential businesses across the state are closed and while essential businesses are open, they are forced to operate differently. Signs outside show it’s not business as usual for area restaurants. Places like Baumhower’s are only offering curbside pickup. “You pay with a tablet at your car,” Baumhower’s Victory Grille VP of operations Spencer Baumhower said. – ABC3340
Alabama income tax filing deadline moved to July
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday that the deadline for filing state income taxes has been moved from April 15 to July 15. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers, according to a release. Along with this, taxpayers can also defer state income tax payments to the new date without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. – WBRC
Toilet paper run means demand for Alabama timber
Shoppers scouring shelves nationwide for toilet paper, paper towels and sanitizing wipes means demand for Alabama timber is strong. But the long-term economy is what’s on the mind of at least one member of the state’s timber industry. Foothills Timber Co., based in Heflin, harvests about 260,000 tons of Alabama timber each year from private owners in a 50-mile radius around Cleburne County. – AL.com
Birmingham distillery switches some production to hand sanitizer
Dread City Distilling Co. has converted some of its distilling capacity to making hand sanitizer in the wave of the coronavirus outbreak. Co-founder John Cubelic said that they have made over 2,000 containers of 70% alcohol hand sanitizer in their first week of production. The hand sanitizer is being donated to hospitals, Healthcare facilities, hospices, nursing homes and police and fire departments. Some of the bottles have been donated by other businesses. – AL.com
China to lift lockdown of city where it all started
China has announced it will lift the lockdown on Wuhan, the city at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, on April 8, marking a significant milestone in its battle against the deadly outbreak. The date comes more than two months after the city was first sealed off from the outside world, in an unprecedented bid to contain the fast spreading virus. – CNN
Governor: Small businesses can access millions in disaster loans
Small businesses across Alabama can now get assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Kay Ivey announced Saturday that the state’s small businesses negatively impacted by the coronavirus were eligible for assistance under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. – Sand Mountain Reporter
