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Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic over the last several months has been exhausting and frustrating for everyone. Combined with questions about job security and the impact of the pandemic on employment, the additional pressure has become overwhelming.
The most common employment questions right now are about:
- Taking time off to quarantine or because you tested positive for COVID-19
- How to access benefits if you lost your job or were furloughed
During 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) required employers to provide paid time off for employees who contracted the coronavirus or were told to quarantine after being exposed. Those benefits expired as of December 31, 2020, leaving us in the same pandemic without additional protections. Now we are hearing questions like: What do we do? Can I still take time off if I am sick with COVID-19? Will my time off be paid? What are the new 2021 COVID-19 benefits? If I am self-employed, do I still qualify for assistance?
An additional pandemic relief package passed in late December of 2020 did not extend FFCRA, but legislation being discussed now in the House and Senate might. Regardless, you still have options if you need time off because of COVID-19. If you are unemployed, whether you worked full-time, part-time, or as a contractor, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program is set to provide additional unemployment assistance through March 14, 2021.
If you still have questions, our attorneys sat down to discuss the new legislation and how it helps employees. The link above will take you to Facebook, where you can watch the video now.
Even in the hardest times, we’re here. Call Pearson Butler at (800) 265-2314 with your employment law concerns.
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