Corona legal 101 – important things for business owners and decision makers for the covid-19 period

The Corona pandemic presents an unprecedented challenge to business owners and decision makers. The measures to contain the spread of the virus have far-reaching implications for the economy and social development. Particularly in the area of labor law and tax issues, there are many uncertainties and new developments that business owners and decision makers must confront.
In this series of articles "Corona Legal 101" we highlight the key issues that business owners and decision makers need to be aware of in the era of COVID-19. Learn what legal rules and actions are important to protect the health of the workforce, minimize the economic impact, and avoid legal consequences.
We provide practical tips and information on topics such as employment law and home office arrangements, reduced hours and compensation, tax issues and support services. With our Corona Legal 101 series, we want to help you successfully navigate through the crisis period and thrive in the long run as well.

Labor law issues in the Corona crisis

The spread of the corona virus is leading to numerous employment law issues. Employers and employees are equally affected and need to adapt to the new challenges.

• One of the key issues is the obligation to work. Does the employee still have to come to work or can he stay at home?
• The issue of short-time work also presents challenges for many businesses. What is the legal situation and what are the options??
• Employers must also ensure that their employees are protected from contagion. What measures are necessary for this?

The answers to these questions depend on various factors, such as the type of employment relationship, the employee’s job and the size of the company. It is therefore advisable to seek specialized legal advice.

In general, however, employers and employees must find solutions together in the current situation. Flexibility and a willingness to compromise are crucial here to ensure successful cooperation.

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop further and what impact it will have on labor law. However, companies should already prepare for possible scenarios and take appropriate measures now.

Support for entrepreneurs during the COVID 19 crisis

The Corona pandemic has put many companies in a difficult situation. Many are struggling to pay their salaries and bills. In Germany, however, there are many tax measures and support options that can help companies during this crisis.

For example, companies can apply for support through loans or emergency aid. There are also programs to relieve tax payments, including the suspension of advance payments and extensions of deadlines for tax returns. In addition, there is also the possibility of applying for short-time working benefits, which replace part of the salary if the employer cannot provide full jobs due to the crisis.

It is important for business owners to take advantage of these opportunities to protect their businesses. One option that many companies have taken up is also applying for government support for business investments, including digitization of the business. However, businesses should make sure they understand the terms of these programs before making a decision in order to make sufficiently informed decisions.

Overall, there are many opportunities for businesses to receive tax assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. It is important to take advantage of these measures and support options to keep the company on track.

Legal challenges for entrepreneurs in the period of COVID-19

The Corona crisis has caused significant economic problems for many companies and it is an uphill battle to survive. However, there are also many legal issues and challenges that are of great importance to companies during this time. One of the most important issues during the pandemic is contract performance and the impact of COVID-19 on contractual relationships.

If a company is unable to meet its contractual obligations due to the consequences of COVID-19, the question of possible contractual penalties arises. Here, it is important to consider whether the failure to perform was due to circumstances beyond the company’s control, such as government orders or the failure of supply chains due to pandemic-related restrictions. In this case, the company could potentially be exempt from its obligations.

Another important aspect when considering contract law issues during the Corona crisis is the interpretation of clauses in existing contracts. A clause governing delivery time, for example, may be interpreted differently during the pandemic than under normal circumstances. It is therefore advisable to check existing contracts carefully and adjust them if necessary.

• Summary:
• – Consideration of potential contractual penalties for failure to meet obligations due to COVID-19-related circumstances
• – Interpreting clauses in existing contracts to take into account the impact of the pandemic

Liability risks and insurance issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic poses many challenges for businesses. In addition to health risks to employees and customers, liability risks may also arise. Companies must ensure that they have taken all measures to minimize the risk of infection. If it does not, customers or employees could sue the company.

Insurance can help minimize liability risk. However, companies need to carefully consider whether their insurance covers pandemics. In many cases, pandemics are excluded from insurance coverage. However, some insurance companies offer specific coverages that cover pandemics.

If companies have had to change their business models due to the pandemic, new liability risks may also arise. For example, companies could violate privacy laws if they collect personal information about customers to facilitate contact tracing. Businesses should therefore notify their insurance companies of changes to ensure they are adequately protected.

• It is important that companies take all measures to minimize the risk of infection.
• Companies should check whether their insurance covers pandemics.
• New liability risks may arise if the business model changes.

Privacy and IT security during COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a dramatic impact on the way businesses operate and use digital technologies. However, data protection and IT security must not be neglected. There is an enormous amount of data being collected by organizations to combat COVID-19. Be it personal data, such as contact details, or health-related data, such as COVID-19 test results.

It is important that organizations ensure that the data collected is handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations. IT infrastructure must also be adequately protected to prevent cyberattacks and data breaches. Measures such as regular employee training, implementing encryption procedures and conducting penetration tests can help.

Data privacy and IT security must also be ensured when working in home offices. Mobile devices used by employees should be securely configured and protected with strong passwords. In addition, access to sensitive data should be restricted and regulated only via secure connections.

• Conclusion: Companies should not neglect data protection and IT security even during COVID-19. Measures such as regular training, encryption procedures and restricting access to sensitive data can help increase data security.