Question 1: Why did Coastal choose to pay us through the payroll protection plan rather than leaving us on unemployment?
Answer: This decision was informed by and consistent with the intention of the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP). The PPP was designed was to get people back to work and on business payrolls as soon as possible. Unemployment is a necessary bridge in troubled times, but our economy runs on business operations, not the goodwill of the government. Coastal is doing everything possible to be aligned with both the intention of keeping people safe and the overall intention of restarting the economy. We were approved for the PPP on April 4th and we have 10 days to get people back on the payroll. Please keep in mind, the PPP and our return to work effort is only an eight-week program. It is our hope and that of the Federal and State governments that at the end of eight weeks production will have returned to normal volumes and we will once again be operating on our own. If not, and if additional layoffs are necessary, then the enhanced unemployment program as offered under the CARES act will be available to all employees.
Question 2: Will we be paid for 32 or 40 hours the week of April 14?
Answer: All employees will be paid for 32 hours of work. Anyone on unemployment is eligible for unemployment benefits through April 13.
Question 3: if we are going to be paid beginning April 14, will we be working as of that date?
Answer: The actual date at which people will physically be working at our facilities will vary. Until April 30, we will operate to support the customers who have identified us as essential to their operations. We will recall staff to support their needs between now and April 30 when the Michigan sequester in place laws expire. For those of us who are able to work from home or remotely, your manager will contact you today about expectations consistent with being back on the payroll tomorrow.
Question 4: How will I know if I am expected to work?
Answer: Managers, team leaders and / or Human Resources will contact all team members directly to explain their expectation in regard to working at home, working in support of essential customers, or working after April 30.
Question 5: How many days of advanced notice will be given about my need to return to work?
Answer: We are doing everything we can to communicate with as much advance notice as possible. The federal and state laws are changing on a daily basis. As we have mentioned before we meet as a leadership team twice a day to stay connected on these changing expectations. As always, we hope to give our team members as much information as possible, as early as we possibly can.
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