COVID-19 Employer Playbook

Paid Sick Time for Employees

Mandate for Paid Sick Time The legislation provides for emergency paid sick time for employees affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic. Who is Subject? Employers with fewer than 500 employees (as well as federal and state employers of any size) must provide paid sick time to employees who are unable to work (or telework) for specified virus-related reasons. All employees are immediately eligible for the COVID-19 paid sick time benefit. Eligibility for Paid Sick Time Full time employees are entitled to 80 hours of paid sick time. While not specifically defined, it is presumed that full time means 40 hours per week. Part-time employees are entitled to sick time on a pro-rated basis. Benefits are available immediately regardless of the employee’s length of employment. Temporary employees are eligible to receive benefits, with benefits being based on whether they are full-time or part-time workers. Independent contractors working for the employer are not eligible for this paid sick time benefit. Sick Time Maximum Benefit Benefits are calculated based on the employee’s regular rate of pay and the number of hours the employee would otherwise be normally scheduled to work. The maximum benefit varies based on the reason for absence, as outlined below.

Employee Category

Sick Leave Benefit

Employee who is: 1) Subject to a quarantine or isolation order 2) Advised by a health provider to self-quarantine 3) Experiencing symptoms and seeking diagnosis

100% of regular pay $511 per day maximum $5,110 total

Employee who is: 4) Caring for an individual described in category (1), (2), or (3) 5) Caring for a son or daughter whose school or place of care has been closed 6) Experiencing a “substantially similar condition” to be specified by HHS

66.67% of regular pay $200 per day maximum $2,000 total

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