Federal Paid Leave Eligibility
For anyone employed for 30 days or longer, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act establishes the following requirements through December 31, 2020 for companies with employees between 50 and 500: If leave is due to illness, employer must provide up to 2 weeks paid sick leave at 100% of the employees’ salary, capped at $511/day. If leave is due to a public health order or the need to take care of a family member, employer must provide up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave at 67% of the employee’s pay, capped at $200/day. Companies with less than 50 workers can apply for a waiver from the paid family leave “when the imposition of these requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business”.
Self-employed and contract workers get the benefits in the form of a tax credit.·
Employer may not require employee to use any other paid sick leave benefits to cover COVID-19 related leave. Employee is eligible to return to their former position prior to leave.
Federal Expanded Unemployment Benefits
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act expands unemployment benefits for those who lost their job or were furloughed due to COVID-19. It eases eligibility requirements for these benefits.
California Paid Leave Eligibility
Up to 52 weeks of Disability Insurance at 60-70% of wages capped at $1,300/week for workers unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness related to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional).·
Up to 6 weeks of Paid Family Leave at 60-70% of wages capped at $,1330/week for workers unable to work because they’re caring for an ill or quarantined family member with to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional).
Up to 26 weeks of Unemployment Insurance at $40-$250/week range for workers who have lost their job or have had their hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19.·
So far, no special provision has been set for the state paid sick leave requirements during the coronavirus pandemic. The California Paid Sick Leave law establishes that all employees (including part-time, per diem, and temporary employees) qualify for paid sick leave if they have been working for the same employer for at least 30 days within a year and satisfy a 90-day probationary period before taking any sick leave. Employers must offer at least 3 days of paid sick leave per year but are allowed to limit it to 6 days per year. Employees should consult their employer’s paid sick leave policy to learn how many days they have the right to. More information.·
Employees at worksites with 25 or more employees may also be provided up to 40 hours of leave per year for specific school-related emergencies, such as the closure of a child's school or day care by civil authorities (reference: Labor Code section 230.8).· If worker is unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits. More information here.
Municipal/County Employee Benefits
San Francisco: The City of San Francisco will pay for 5 additional sick days for private sector workers affected by coronavirus. All San Francisco businesses are eligible, with up to 20% of funds reserved for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Further information on program will be available around March 20 at
this link.
Worker Information Line: (415) 701-4817
FOR BUSINESSES
Federal Paid Leave Eligibility
The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act establishes that employers will not be required to bear the full costs of the newly established paid leave requirements but will be reimbursed for 100% of the costs, up to a cap, through a tax credit.
California Assistance for Businesses
Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs — retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Workers approved to participate in the program receive the percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60%.
Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with them to discuss needs, help avert potential layoffs, and provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. More information: Rapid Response Services for Businesses Fact Sheet (DE 87144RRB) (PDF) Also through one’s local America’s Job Center of California.
Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center: 1-888-745-3886