
In response to the current pandemic, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) was enacted in order to require certain employers to give paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19 for their employees.
These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
As set forth in the Act, covered employers are now mandated:
- To provide up to two weeks paid sick leave to those employees who are subject to a COVID-19 quarantine or have symptoms of COVID-19, or are caring for someone who is quarantined;
- To provide an additional “paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave” (capped at 10 weeks) to employees who must care for a child because the child’s school or care provider is closed for COVID-19 related reasons; and
- To refrain from retaliating against employees who take leave under the Act. The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will be enforcing the Act’s provisions.
These regulations will be promulgated next month and as promised, we will continue to keep you apprised of any changes and implementation guidelines.
For those employers who want access to the United States DOL poster, please click here.