Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
On March 18, 2020 Congress passed a bill requiring employers to provide emergency paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act and emergency paid sick leave. Leave must be made available to workers who are symptomatic or are under an order or advice to quarantine or self-isolate, who have to care for a family member under such an order or advice, or who have a child whose school or child care provider or facility has closed or is unavailable due to the Coronavirus.
Read more about the details in the articles shared below:
- Congress Passes Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- New Coronavirus Relief Law Requires Paid Employee Leave
- Outline of Emergency FMLA and Paid Sick Leave in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic
- IRS Issues Guidance on Tax Credits for Coronavirus Paid Leave
- IRS Provides Basic FAQ on Tax Credits for Small and Midsize Businesses
- Employer Guide – Families First COVID-19 Response Act – Leave of Absences
- Sample Request Form – Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
- Instructions of IRS Form 7200 for Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19
UPDATE: April 1 Effective Date for FFCRA Leaves
On Tuesday, March 24, the DOL announced that the effective date of the leaves available through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will be April 1, 2020. Based on the language in the bill, the effective date was widely believed to be April 2.
The DOL announced the effective date in a “Questions and Answers” document where it also provided answers to some common questions. The DOL also released two Fact Sheets, both of which appear to contain the same information, but it’s possible they will each be updated in the future with information that is geared more toward employees or employers.
Click on the links below to review.
We are still waiting on regulations from the DOL to answer many questions about how these leaves will be administered and how they will interact with other leaves. We will post updated information as soon as it is released.
States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, states have passed new laws and issued new regulations and guidance about employee leave taken for COVID-19 reasons. These provisions are in addition to the federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion requirements passed on March 18 as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Read the Compliance Bulletin linked below for information on new state employee leave provisions and guidance enacted or issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with links to government resources providing further information. Employers should monitor the websites of their state departments of labor for new laws, rules and guidance about COVID-19-related employee leave as these are continuing to be updated.
