UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Labor Issues Important New Guidance Regarding the Small Business Exemption from the Paid Leave Requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and “Health Care Provider” Exclusion The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which became law on March 18, 2020 and goes into effect on April 1, 2020, requires private employers with fewer than 50 employees to provide employees with paid sick leave for “specified reasons related to COVID-19.” Ever since the law’s enactment, employers have sought additional guidance from the government regarding an exemption from the paid sick leave requirements of the law for small businesses with fewer t
What is the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and How Will It Affect Your Business on April 1,
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act is a new federal employment law that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020. The Act provides for two paid leaves that employers across the United States must provide to employees in response to the coronavirus epidemic. The Act goes into effect on April 1, 2020, and applies to U.S. business employers with 500 or fewer employees. It expires on December 31, 2020. The Act provides for two sources of paid leave: Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act. Yesterday on March 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor issued guidance to help workers and employers navig
As the world faces the possibility of a coronavirus pandemic, employers are looking to lawyers for help in addressing tricky workplace situations. The World Health Organization as of today has confirmed over 170,000 cases worldwide of COVID-19. As more cases have come to light in the United States, the urgency for employers to take measures to avoid infections in the workplace has become significantly greater. Top U.S. companies, such as Microsoft, have urged employees to work from home if feasible for at least the next three weeks. For those who must physically come to work, employers are enhancing cleaning and sanitizing procedures and urging workers to avoid clustering and cancelling no
