Among the steps taken by Congress, beyond the $2.0 trillion-plus economic package, is “The Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (FFCRA) which provides for paid sick leave from April 1, 2020 -- December 31, 2020.  Under the Act, full-time employees are entitled to two weeks (80 hours) and part-time employees are entitled to the typical number of hours they work in a two-week period.

Paid sick leave can be used for the following reasons:

1.      The employee is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to the coronavirus;

2.      The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to the coronavirus;

3.      The employee is experiencing coronavirus symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis;

4.      The employee is caring for an individual who is subject to an order as described in reason (1) or has been advised as described in reason (2).

5.      The employee is caring for their child if the child's school or place of care has been closed, or the child's childcare provider is unavailable due to the coronavirus.

6.      The employee is experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor.

Employees who go on paid sick leave for reasons (1), (2), or (3) will be paid at their regular rate of pay. Employees who use their leave for reasons (4), (5), or (6) will be paid at two-thirds of their regular rate of pay. In no event, however, shall the paid sick leave exceed $511.00 per day or $5,110.00 in the aggregate for reasons (1), (2), or (3), or $200.00 per day or $2,000.00 in the aggregate for reasons (4), (5), or (6).

Attached is a SAMPLE template for possible use by your firm’s employees to apply for leave under the FFCRA; and the DOL’s FFCRA Notice which should be posted in a conspicuous place on your premises or emailed to employees working remotely.