The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for COVID-19-related reasons. The Act took effect April 1, 2020 and will remain in effect through December 31, 2020.
Below are highlights of FFCRA employee rights.
- Eligible employees include employees of private sector employers with fewer than 500 employees and certain public sector employees
- Employees are eligible for up to two week of fully or partially paid sick leave for COVID-19-related reasons. The rate of pay depends on the employee’s request for leave. Employees receive 100 percent for reasons 1 – 3 below; 2/3 for reasons 4 and 6 below and up to 12 weeks of paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave at 2/3 for reason 5. There are daily and total limits of compensation (see the employee rights poster)
- Employees are entitled to take COVID-19-related leave because he or she:
- Is subject to a Federal, State or local COVID-19-related quarantine/isolation order
- Has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine for a reason related to COVID-19
- Is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis
- Is caring for an individual who is subject to a Federal, State or local quarantine or has been advised to self-quarantine by a health professional
- Is caring for his/her child whose school/child care place is closed due to COVID-19
- Is experiencing other similar conditions specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- If you have been employed for at least 30 days prior to your leave request, you may be eligible for an additional 10 weeks of partially paid family and medical leave for reason #5 above.
