Nebraska SBDC Blog

Q: What should we communicate to employees about the COVID-19 virus?

A: This depends on your business, as well as what is happening with the virus in your area (which changes day by day). In general, you should communicate the measures you are taking internally to help limit the spread of disease, changes to scheduling or hours of operation, whether remote work will be permitted (and the rules around working remotely), and any travel restrictions. You also need to discourage employees from coming to work if they have been exposed to the virus or exhibit any symptoms of the virus, in addition to addressing how the company will handle absences relating to the pandemic crisis.

Q: Can I send an employee home if they feel sick or are coughing?

A: Yes, you can require employees who feel sick — or appear to be sick — to leave the workplace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that employees who exhibit influenza-like symptoms at work during a pandemic should not remain at work. You may also require employees exhibiting symptoms to get medical clearance before returning to work.

Q: It makes sense for us to allow remote work during the pandemic. How can we protect our business with this working arrangement?

A: If you have employees working from home due to the virus, it’s important to develop a remote workers policy that sets clear expectations. It should address such questions as: Can every employee work from home or are there personnel who must continue to report to the workplace? Do teleworkers always have to be available during working hours? How will meetings occur, and will all remote employees have access to the necessary technology? Can employees work on their own personal devices, like laptops and tablets?

Also, for non-exempt hourly employees, be sure to establish rules for tracking work hours and managing overtime. Finally, you’ll want to provide regular status updates to all workers, including those working from home.

Q: Which employees are covered under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)?

A: All employees working for a covered business qualify for up to two weeks (or 80 hours) of emergency paid leave if they are unable to work — or unable to telework for various reasons related to the virus (see below). Employees who have been employed for at least 30 calendar days are eligible for up to an additional 10 weeks of paid leave to care for a child under certain circumstances related to COVID-19.

Q: Under what circumstances may an employee take paid leave?

A: An employee qualifies for paid time off if he or she:

• Is subject to a federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19 — or is caring for an individual similarly ordered
• Has been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19 — or is caring for an individual similarly instructed
• Is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis
• Is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or childcare provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19
• Is experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services

Q: Does the FMLA still apply during COVID-19, or just the FFCRA?

A: If your business is subject to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), there are situations where an employee can qualify for both types of leave for a COVID-related illness. For example, if an employee contracts the virus or has to care for a family member who contracts it, the employee is entitled to two weeks of paid leave under the FFCRA. If the illness extends beyond two weeks, however, the employee may be eligible for up to 12 additional weeks of unpaid leave (along with job protection) under the FMLA.

Q: What about state and local leave laws? Do they apply as well?

A: Yes! A handful of states and cities have introduced brand-new COVID-19 leave laws, or expanded existing laws to cover COVID-related reasons. In general, these new or modified sick leave laws provide coverage for many of the same reasons as the FFCRA during the COVID-19 crisis. Some of the brand-new laws are in the following areas: San Jose, CA COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave, San Francisco, CA Public Health Emergency Leave, Los Angeles, CA COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave, Colorado Emergency Rule Requiring Paid Sick Leave and New York Paid Sick Leave. Plus, in the following states, counties and cities, existing paid sick leave laws were temporarily broadened to include COVID-specific coverage: States: