New Law Allows Coronavirus Leave for Employees

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), signed into law on March 18, provides for the right to two different types of leave: “public health emergency leave” under a section of the FFCRA called the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, and paid sick time under a section of the FFCRA called the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. All private-sector employers in the U.S. with 499 or fewer employees must comply with the FFCRA’s requirements when it takes effect on April 1. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued guidance and Q&A, and a detailed discussion of the FFCRA may be found here.