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Tips to improve the digital security of telework 2:08
(CNN Business) - Some employees can't wait to get back to work. Others may be suspicious of their return for fear of getting sick, having to take public transportation, or not having someone to care for the children.
I have mixed emotions about a possible return. Returning to the office hopefully means the worst is over, but I'm concerned about crowding on the subway and then taking an elevator into a high-rise building and being indoors all day.
So what rights do employees have when it comes to returning to work? I spoke to employment attorneys to find out. This is what they said:
What if I don't feel comfortable returning to work?
The fear of contracting covid-19 is not a legal reason to refuse to go to work.
However, if you have a disability or a pre-existing health condition, you may be under the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires employers to discuss possible accommodations.
Do I have to wear a mask?
Yes, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has said that an employer may require employees to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, during a pandemic.
If you do not meet the EPP requirements of your employers, you can be sent home.
However, an employee who has a disability or health condition that would make it difficult to use PPE must have a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.
What if I don't want my temperature checked?
Employers can verify worker temperatures, but the results are subject to confidentiality requirements. If you decline one, you may be prevented from entering the building.
Does an employer have to notify staff if an employee is diagnosed with covid-19?
No, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't, and many are. If they reveal a positive case, an employer cannot reveal the person's identity without their consent.
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Generation Z's tough entry into the labor market
It is a difficult job market for anyone right now.
But Generation Z is receiving a very hostile welcome into the world of work.
Just a few months ago, older Generation Z members probably thought that getting a job would be pretty easy. Now they are graduating in a pandemic-ravaged job market.
There are fewer jobs and internships, especially in fields like hospitality, travel and retail, which generally provide a large number of entry-level roles, reports CNN's Zamira Rahim.
And this rough start could have lasting effects on future wages and job prospects.
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Tired of your home office? Test your car
Do you want a quiet place to retire when you work from home?
Some people have worked from their cars, either because of a change of scenery, to take a long conference call, to get a better cell and internet signal, or simply to find a quiet respite at home / work / school / daycare .
It makes sense that a car is not a bad place to do some work. Cars are made for quieter interiors and the seats are designed for long periods of sitting, explained one car designer.
If you are looking to turn your car into a mobile office, connecting to the vehicle's Bluetooth to receive calls can help minimize any environmental noise, such as from traffic or wind. You can even install an adjustable desk in some cars.
Remember: never keep a car running in a garage or any other closed space.
Relief for Student Loan Borrowers
Interest rates on federal student loans are falling and fast.
Bond yields are sinking, which means the government can borrow money cheaper, and Uncle Sam is transferring the savings to students.
This is what you can expect:
Federal Direct Stafford Loans: Undergraduate borrowers can expect an interest rate of 2.75% this academic year. That's less than 4.53% during the past school year.
Federal postgraduate loans: interest rates of 4.3%, below 6.08%.
PLUS Loans: Parents and graduating students can expect to see a rate of 5.3%, down from 7.08%.
Average total savings on interest charges will range from $ 669 for college students to $ 2,797 for graduate students applying for larger federal PLUS loans at higher rates, based on a 10-year term, according to Credible, a site. credit comparison website.
- MORE: Zoom beats Tik Tok and becomes the most downloaded app
Therapy sessions through TikTok
In-person therapy sessions are not happening, but that hasn't stopped some professionals from finding new ways to help people get through this crisis… in very short bursts.
Psychologists and therapists are using TikTok, an application that allows people to create and share short videos, to discuss mental health, combat the Covid-19 myths, and offer help on how to manage worry and anxiety.
"It is important to know the public where it is and to help dispel some of the myths or lessen some of the fears or conspiracies," said Dr. David Puder, a psychiatrist who joined TikTok in January. He now has more than 100,000 followers.
Coffee break
Do you remember those days when you tried to take 10,000 steps? It seems pretty impossible these days when we spend so much time at home sitting at our makeshift work desks, taking (another) call Zoom or getting ready for a Netflix marathon.
And that sedentary lifestyle is not good for our health.
It can be a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic disease and also lead to depression, chronic pain, and an increased risk of physical injury, writes Dana Santas, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and registered yoga teacher.
And to get you moving, here's a six-minute audio workout from Jeanette Jenkins, founder of The Hollywood Trainer, which includes stretches that can be done at your desk (so no more excuses!).
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