Emergency Coronavirus Bill Passed by the House
/On March 14, 2020 the US House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201). The bill now heads to the Senate where it will likely pass early this week.
As drafted, the bill applies to employers with fewer than 500 employees, and employees who have been working for the employer for at least 30 calendar days. The following is a summary of some of the highlights that will affect these employers:
12 weeks of job-protected paid FMLA.
Employees may use accrued PTO during the first 14 days, but employers may not require employees to do so.
Employees may use the leave for required or recommended quarantines for themselves, to care for family members, or to care for a child whose school has been closed as a result of COVID-19.
Following the first 14 days of leave, employers must compensate employees by at least 2/3 of the employees’ regular rate of pay.
Employers must provide full time employees with 80 hours of paid sick leave for circumstances related to COVID 19.
Part time employees are entitled to the number of paid sick time equal to the number of hours they work over an average 2-week period.
Paid sick time must be at the regular rate of pay.
Employers must post notices of Employee’s leave rights.
These provisions will be effective 15 days after enactment and expire December 31, 2020.
Once the Senate has passed the final version of this bill the firm will provide an analysis of the requirements.
As you face the day to day questions of balancing business concerns, the law, and health and safety, the firm is here to assist in any way we can.