DOL Issues Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
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DOL Issues Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response
Act
March 25, 2020
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage
and Hour Division (WHD) announced its first round of published guidance to
provide information to employees and employers about how each will be able to
take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First
Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it takes effect on April 1, 2020.
FFCRA will help the United States combat and
defeat COVID-19 by giving all American businesses with fewer than 500
employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the
employee's own health needs or to care for family members. The legislation
will ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and
the public health measures needed to combat the virus while at the same time
reimbursing businesses.
The guidance - provided in a Fact Sheet for
Employees, a Fact Sheet for Employers and a Questions and Answers document -
addresses critical questions, such as how an employer must count the number
of their employees to determine coverage; how small businesses can obtain an
exemption; how to count hours for part-time employees; and how to calculate
the wages employees are entitled to under this law.
"Providing information to the American
workforce is a top priority for the Wage and Hour Division," said
Administrator Cheryl Stanton. "With so many workers and so many
employers struggling to find their way in these trying conditions, providing
guidance on a rolling basis will allow workers and businesses to prepare for
the law to go into effect on April 1, 2020. We remain committed, and are
working around the clock to provide the information and tools for employees
and employers alike."
The guidance announced yesterday is just the
first round of information and compliance assistance to come from WHD. A
workplace poster required for most employers will be published later this
week, along with additional fact sheets and more Q&A.
The guidance includes:
Families First Response Act: Questions and
Answers:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
Fact Sheet for Employers:
Fact Sheet for Employees:
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