The United States currently has more known cases of coronavirus than any other country in the world. In response to this global pandemic, lawmakers passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to provide eligible workers with additional leave benefits related to COVID-19.
If you are a worker in Oklahoma, it’s important to understand your rights under the FFCRA. Here’s what you need to know:
What Benefits Does the FFCRA Provide?
The FFCRA provides three main types of benefits, including:
- Two weeks of paid sick leave for employees who cannot work because they are quarantined or currently exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus. Employees who take this paid sick leave should be paid at their regular rate.
- Two weeks of paid sick leave for employees who cannot work because they need to care for a loved one who is quarantined or for a child whose school or daycare has been closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees who take this paid sick leave should be paid at two-thirds of their regular rate of pay.
- Up to ten additional weeks of paid family and medical leave for employees who cannot work because they need to care for a child whose school or daycare has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Employees who take this paid family and medical leave should be paid at two-thirds of their regular rate of pay.
If you need to take advantage of these benefits, notify your employer as soon as possible. Your employer may or may not ask you to stay in contact with them while on leave to ensure they know when you are expected to return.
Who is Covered By the FFCRA?
The FFCRA applies to certain public employers and private employers with fewer than 500 employees, although there are some exceptions for small businesses. For example, a small business may not be required to provide up to ten weeks of paid family and medical leave if doing so would gravely affect the business.
Every employee who works for a covered employer is entitled to the two weeks of paid sick leave provided by the FFCRA. However, the ten additional weeks of paid family and medical leave is only available to employees who have been employed for at least 30 days.
Has your employer violated your right to paid leave? If so, contact Armstrong & Vaught, P.L.C. at once. Let our experienced attorneys seek justice against your employer for violating your workplace rights. Call us at (918) 582-2500 or toll-free at (800) 722-8880 or complete the simple form below for a free consultation with a skilled attorney.