COVID-19 is changing workforce schedules

Mark DeLap
Posted 3/31/20

Keeping up with an influx of displaced workers has become a challenge for Wyoming Workforce Services as the area adjusts to the coronavirus pandemic.

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COVID-19 is changing workforce schedules

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PLATTE COUNTY – Keeping up with an influx of displaced workers has become a challenge for Wyoming Workforce Services as the area adjusts to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’ve been busy trying to keep up with the influx of people who are being laid-off and unemployed,” said Ty Stockton from the State of Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. “But, we are still open.”

Some of the people in the DWS have been called to new jobs, manning phones and fielding questions from the agency’s website. With the virus causing more and more quarantines, businesses are moving into more areas of telecommunications.

Local companies have focused on cleaning, making sure keyboards and door handles, bathrooms and work surfaces are cleaned after each visitation from an outside source exits the building. This is especially true at Workforce Services, where people are scheduled in to fill out applications for unemployment benefits and job searches. Private keyboards are meticulously cleaned, Stockton said.

“Due to more people being laid-off due to the quarantine restrictions we are experiencing a heavy call volume and the wait time has generally been very long,” Stockton said. “We are encouraging people to go online and visit our centers there for faster service.”

The influx of people without jobs are not, however without options.

“People can visit us online at www.wyui.wyo.gov to file for unemployment.” Stockton said. “If they qualify, the turnaround time for the first paycheck can be as quick as two weeks, and in some cases, faster than that. If they need actual hands-on help, we are not closing our offices, but are scheduling people and spacing the interviews out so that there are not a lot of people in the building at one time.”

There are 20 Workforce Services locations around the State. You cannot receive help unless you file.

“Even with unemployment help,” Stockton said, “they will not receive a full paycheck, but will receive enough to help them out in this crisis.”

Another option open to those displaced workers is the possibility of another job.

“Even though the Federal Government on down says that places are to shut down and the workforce is diminished,” he said. “This can actually open up other areas where businesses are looking for people to work in situations where they are isolated and away from other people. The main thing is there is work available right now.”

The DWS is trying to get people in and out as quickly as possible so that there will not be huge crowds at the Workforce Services centers and also so they can get their financial help in a quicker time, Stocton said.

All businesses have been affected by the Coronavirus in some way, shape or form.  Rick Roddam from Fat Boys Tires said that business has slowed down, but the decline hasn’t affected their company like many other industries. Even in the smaller declines, changes are being made.

“Along with public safety concerns, we have also installed these new temporary store hours to help protect our employees from financial uncertainty.” Roddam said. “Our family has been in business for over 50 years and, during that time, no employee has ever missed a paycheck. 

Currently, 48 families count on Fat Boys for their livelihood and we will continue to do everything in our power to assure their jobs are secure," he said. "We will also be offering financial planning support services to our staff to promote responsible money management and to help prepare them for economic obstacles and uncertainty in the future.”

In a business that other businesses count on, Fat Boys has chosen to remain open to help serve the trucking industry, local farmers, ranchers and families who need auto repairs.

The trucking industry has perhaps been one of the hardest hit industries with the Coronavirus piggybacking on the already troubled industry. Local family-owned trucking company, Locke Trucking, Inc. which works to deliver in 48 states has seen several challenges from the spread of the virus.

“In the last year we’ve seen more regulation with electronic logging devices,” said Locke Trucking office manager Brian Kelly. “That has really put a pinch on the market. Now along with the virus there’s just a lot of uncertainty, and I think that goes with every industry.”

The problem with trucking is not laying off employees, but just the opposite, trying to hire employees in an industry that sees a lot of employee turnover.

“Our drivers are out on the road and they are faced with limited access to services that they need,” said Kelly. And the truck stops and the rest areas that they depend on find their meals and to use restrooms are starting to close and limit access that our drivers have.”

One story reported from a trucking company in another state said that a trucker could not find an open rest stop and tried a fast food venue.  Since an 18-wheeler can not put through the drive-through and the lobby had been closed, he parked his truck and stood in line amidst the line of cars.  When he got to the window, they would not serve him because he was not in a vehicle. When the trucker explained his plight, the fast-food worker was unsympathetic to his cause and turned him away.