U.S. Emergency Employee Leave Legislation

On March 18, the United States enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a package of legislation which includes emergency paid sick leave and family and medical leave requirements. These temporary provisions cover employers with fewer than 500 employees effective April 2, 2020, and will sunset on December 31, 2020. The Department of Labor is authorized to issue regulations exempting small employers (those with fewer than 50 employees) if compliance would jeopardize their ability to operate. No regulations have yet been issued.

Emergency paid sick leave

Under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, all employees of covered employers are eligible for Emergency Paid Sick Leave immediately, with no minimum period of employment. Full-time employees are eligible for 80 hours (two weeks) of leave. Part-time employees are entitled to leave for the average number of hours they work over a two-week period.