As the Coronavirus disrupts nearly every aspect of life, one of the largest challenges facing working families has been school closures. For those fortunate enough to work from home, this has made life difficult but not impossible. However, for many working families working from home is simply not an option. In response, federal lawmakers have adopted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to help ease the financial and child care burden on working families.
Beginning April 2 through December 3, the FFCRA requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide all employees with sick paid leave. This leave applies to all workers (full-time and part-time) who have been employed for at least 30 days. Additionally, working parents with children impacted directly by school closures are entitled to additional paid leave.
Note: This bill exempts employers with fewer than 50 employees if compliance with paid leave provisions would jeopardize the viability of business.
According to the Families First Coronavirus response Act, employees are eligible for:
- All employees of firms are eligible to receive two weeks paid sick leave.
- Up to 10 additional weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed due to COVID-19.
- Part-Time employees are eligible to receive paid leave for the average number of hours worked over a 2-week period.
How much paid leave are you entitled to?
- All employees are entitled to up to two weeks of paid sick leave based on their regular rate, up to a maximum of $511 daily and/or $5,100 total.
- An employee caring for a child whose school or child care provider is closed is entitled to two-thirds of their regular rate, up to a maximum of $200 per day and/or $12,000 total.
Read more on this Facts Sheet.
Additionally through the California Family School Partnership Act, families are entitled to claim additional leave due to a child care emergency.
Read this to learn more about your right as a parent.
