ASK THE LAWYER: September 2020

Q: Who enforces the Families First Coronavirus Response Act?

A: The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigates claims that employers are not paying emergency sick leave as required by the act.

If an employer denies an eligible employee emergency paid sick leave under the act, the employer will not only owe the sick leave but may also be fined for not following the act.

Employees are eligible, no matter how long they have worked for an employer:

• If the employee is quarantined due to federal, state, or local order.
• If the employee has been advised by health care professionals to self-quarantine.
• If the employee is showing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis.
• If the employee is caring for someone in isolation or quarantine or must care for a minor child whose school or care facility is closed as a result of COVID-19.

This applies to employers with 500 or fewer employees.

This article is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. The information contained in this article does not create an attorney-client relationship between Karen McKeithen Schaede, Attorney at Law, PLLC, and the reader.