To ensure workers do not have to choose between their paychecks and public health measures, the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), reimburses private employers with fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for the cost of providing employees paid leave for specified reasons related to Covid-19.
The FFCRA requires that certain employers provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave related to Covid-19 to include:
~ Up to 80 hours (two weeks) of paid sick leave at a regular rate when an employee is quarantined, and/or is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms and/or when seeking a diagnosis
~ Up to 80 hours of paid sick leave at two thirds regular rate if an employee cannot work because they are caring for an individual subject to quarantine or to care for a child whose school or daycare provider has closed due to the virus – or a substantially similar condition.
~ Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two thirds an employee’s regular rate of pay if they need to leave in order to care for a child whose school or child care has closed.
** Employers with fewer than 50 employees many be exempt from the requirement to provide leave due to school closings or child care unavailability.
If your employer falls under the Act, you are likely covered if you need to take leave because you are subject to a quarantine or isolation order related to Covid-19; you have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine for same; you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis; are caring for an individual subject to an order or in self-quarantine per doctors’ orders; are caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed for reasons related to Covid-19; or are experiencing any other substantially-similar situation. If you are subject to retaliation such as job termination or your employer refuses to pay your sick leave under the provisions of the Act, they may be in violation of the law.
Having Issues with Employee Paid Leave Rights under Covid 19?
Contact Iowa Employment Law Attorneys for Help
If you have an employment law issue related to emergency paid sick leave or family and medical leave, contact the Davenport employment law offices of McDonald, Woodward & Carlson PC for immediate assistance today at 563-355-6478.