Are COVID surcharges legal?

Happy Tuesday! There’s been some good news about the coronavirus among the very bad news that cases are surging in many states. Below, we’ll tell you what you need to know about the COVID-19 surcharges some businesses are collecting, the details about flying right now, and more.

Janie

Take Back Your Life

When Britta Gidican visited her Seattle dentist last week, she was surprised to find an extra $14 fee on her bill. The surcharge was meant to cover the dental staff’s personal protective equipment and other costs associated with doing business during the coronavirus pandemic. Gidican said she wasn’t warned of the charge until she was sitting in the office with her son in the dental chair, and her health insurance didn’t cover it. Although the fee wasn’t an issue for Gidican, she agreed it would have been nice to know about it up front. Such surcharges are gaining popularity among businesses, from restaurants to hair salons. Is it legal? Is there wiggle room to pay as a consumer? Here’s what you need to know:

You Might Find A COVID-19 Surcharge On Your Next Bill

Deal With It

Being a true ally to Black colleagues in the workplace means more than voicing words of support or announcing yet another generic commitment to diversity. It means individual action. Pamela Newkirk, a journalist and author of “Diversity, Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion-Dollar Business,” said it’s easier for people to look at more blatant forms of racism than it is for them to question how their own actions may perpetuate racial inequality.

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“I think people are beginning to question, ‘Why is it that I work in a place that is pretty much all white? Why is it that I’ve never gone outside of my own circle to make sure that people who don’t look like me have opportunities? What can I do?’” Newkirk said. Here’s a list, to start:

8 Actions That Help Black Colleagues Get Ahead At Work

Pro Tip:

The best time to prepare for a layoff is while you still have the job. If you know a company restructuring is imminent, strategize what documents and information you can take with you off your company laptop and phone — and what you need to erase.