Small business in Florida keep their employees working through the COVID-19 pandemic. This is how we do it.
First of all, Urban E Recycling is considered a waste company, and no doubt they are. The company handles e-waste and recycles the end-of-life electronics to earth elements. That is the first of the keys to why. E-waste is an essential business. This doesn’t mean it wasn’t tough for the first few months. Most of their clients are closed, or at least the employees are staying home to work.
Urban E Recycling is considered a waste company, and no doubt they are. The company handles e-waste and recycles the end-of-life electronics to earth elements. That is the first of the keys to why. E-waste is an essential business. This doesn’t mean it wasn’t tough for the first few months. Most of their clients are closed, or at least the employees are staying home to work.
The second reason is the company chooses to be HIPAA compliant since the beginning.
The fact that we are HIPAA Compliant means they are able to take care of the hospitals and emergency care facilities and other essential businesses. In fact, the Advent Health System keeping them busy as we speak.
The third reason is, we are prepared. I am giving SBDC (Small Business Development Center) credit for that. Actually, in 2018, the hurricane left us with no electricity for ten days. After we successfully got through those days, COVID-19 didn’t seem so daunting. The management team quickly got online with the CDC, Centers for Disease Control, and found out what they recommend. This is a daily routine.
The fourth reason is the facility. Fortunately we have a 47,000 square foot facility. The employees can easily be space six feet or more from each other. Employees are required to wear masks and temperature is taken at arrival. The owners were able to change the model slightly, disallowing guests to be touring the facility for now. Individuals watching their hard drives being shredded is put to a halt temporarily. The basic model still remains the in place. When the pandemic is over, who knows what changes need to come about.
Number five reason, we did apply for the PPP loan and was approved quickly, thanks to Hanisha Patel and the CenterState Bank. They could have survived without it, but it would have been very tough for a small business with 26 employees like us.
And sixth, the owners didn’t take a paycheck for some time to lighten the payroll load.
To go over the five key reasons this particular small business is able to keep employees working is :
In closing, the small but robust business, Urban E Recycling, remains unscathed and intact for business. The service is still at no charge to destroy data by shredding hard drives and recycling electronics responsibly.
1. We are an essential business.
2. We are HIPAA Compliant and able to serve medical facilities large and small.
3. We are prepared.
4. We have the ability to separate employees within their facility as required by the CDC.
5. We were prepared and prompt to handle payroll.
