by klritner
I own a small restaurant/coffeehouse in a small town. Before COVID, I employed 7 full time workers and 3 part time workers. I have been having extreme anxiety and guilt about my employees not having hours and therefore, not getting paid. For weeks I have been trying to come up with a way for us to reopen while still keeping my staff and customers safe from the spread of the virus. Every-time I think I have come up with a way for us to safely reopen, 3 of them are very skeptical. They question the processes and steps we would be taking to keep us safe and never think it is enough. So when I heard about he PPP loans, I applied for one by 1pm the day it passed. What a great opportunity right?? With this loan I would be able to confidently pay all employees, whether we are open or not, AND be able to pay some bills.
Now this brings us to yesterday. I happily reached out to all my staff to give them the good news that I will be able to continue paying them for 4 pay periods!! Yay right?!? No. Don’t get me wrong, most we’re very grateful but those same three are mad and disappointed with me. They are now upset because with the $600 extra stimulus, they would have been making more on unemployment than what I will be paying them. Even though, I’m paying them what they were getting paid pre-COVID. I think my head is going to explode. I’ve owned my business for 2.5 years now. The only thing that ever really stresses me out is the responsibility I feel for my employees and their lives. There have been many times where I think I’m making a decision that will be the best for everyone but someone is always unhappy.
I want to ask you all if I am in the wrong. I know I’m not but they are making me feel like I need to ask.
So I guess I don’t know what I’m looking for here.