Businesses such as banks and other financial institutions that are exempt from state-wide or local orders requiring business closures because they are considered “essential” or “life-sustaining” may want to consider providing letters to their employees regarding the business’s exempt status.

Employees of businesses that remain open who need to travel to and from their workplaces and/or other locations could encounter questions from individuals such as law enforcement officers or security guards regarding the employee’s activities.  A letter provided to employees that explains the employee is employed by an “essential” or “life-sustaining” business and is traveling in connection with his or her employment could be useful to employees encountering such questions as well as provide reassurance to employees concerned about possible travel obstacles.

We have been assisting clients in preparing letters of this type for their employees.  Examples of such letters can be found under “Labor and Employment” in Ballard Spahr’s COVID-19 Resource Center.