Today, 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.
The guidance – provided in a Fact Sheet for Employees (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave); a Fact Sheet for Employers (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave); and a Questions and Answers document (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions) – 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.
The guidance announced today 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.
If you have any questions about the FFCRA or any other legal updates and developments relating to COVID-19 and how they impact your business and employees, do not hesitate to contact Kerrick Bachert at 270-782-8160.