Families First Coronavirus Response Act

In April, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed which requires many businesses to provide paid leave for employees affected by COVID-19. These rules are in effect through December 31, 2020, so even if it’s over the summer or this fall that an employee meets one of the requirements, business owners need to know that the rules of paid sick time are still in effect. The required paid medical leave rules related to COVID-19 are still in effect through the end of the year.

You may have to pay your employees for COVID-19 related sick time through the end of the year. The good news is that employers will receive a dollar for dollar reimbursement from the government for this, so you’re able to pay sick employees to stay home at no out-of-pocket cost to your business. Lots of rules and conditions apply here, so make sure you understand all the requirements. Here is a great explanation of those rules from the Department of Labor and here is additional information that includes a webinar to walk through the rules.

There are some exemptions from these rules, but I’d strongly encourage you to consider the effects getting an exemption from this rule will have on your employees before you do it. I talk more about that here.