DOL Issues Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), which requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Department of Labor has now issued guidance regarding the paid leave provisions of the FFCRA.
Of significant note, the DOL guidance states the FFCRA will be effective April 1, 2020—not April 2, 2020 as originally expected—and will apply to leave taken between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.
The DOL’s guidance provides employers with direct access to:
- FACT SHEETS, including information on Employee Paid Leave Rights and Employer Paid Leave Requirements
- QUESTIONS and ANSWERS, including Q&As regarding the FFCRA, COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), and COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”)
- Links to POSTERS, including the Employee Rights Poster each covered employer must post in a conspicuous place on its premises. The DOL guidance also addresses Frequently Asked Questions regarding the FFCRA notice requirements.
Employers are advised to review the DOL guidance thoroughly. Because the guidance still leaves remaining questions to be answered, we also anticipate additional clarification by way of DOL regulations in the next few days. We will share updates as additional information becomes available.
Contact any member of MOJO’s Coronavirus Employer Response Team with additional questions.