The COVID-19 pandemic has left families across the United States unsure how to balance two very important things: earning an income and caring for their loved ones. The virus has taken the country by storm and has led to over six million cases at the time of writing.
Because of this, many workers across the nation wonder how they would be able to care for themselves or a loved one if they contract COVID-19. Learn your rights in this situation.
What is the Families First Coronavirus Response Act?
In March 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in an effort to help Americans who have been infected with COVID-19 or who have relatives who have contracted the virus.
The FFCRA requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19, including:
- Two weeks of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or
- Two weeks of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a need to care for an individual subject to quarantine, or care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.
The paid sick leave provisions of the FFCRA apply to certain public employers and private employers with fewer than 500 employees.
So, if you work at an organization with fewer than 500 employees and you or a loved one contracts COVID-19 (or becomes subject to quarantine), you are entitled to two weeks of paid leave. If your employer is in violation of the FFCRA, our attorneys at Pearson Butler can protect your rights and help your family through this difficult situation.
Contact Pearson Butler at (800) 265-2314 to schedule a consultation.
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