FFCRA Employee Notice Requirements Are Now in Effect

Effective April 1, 2020, the Family First Coronavirus Response Act’s (“FFCRA”) notice requirements go into effect for all covered employers.  FFCRA requires employers covered by the act (specifically, employers with fewer than 500 employees) to post a notice of the act’s requirements in a conspicuous place on its premises.  Where a covered employer’s physical premises have been shut down but employees continue to telework, an employer may satisfy this notice requirement by emailing or direct mailing the FFCRA notice to its employees. Alternatively, an employer may post the required notice on an employee information internal or external website.  Importantly, where an employer has employees reporting to different worksites or buildings, the employer must post all required federal notices in each worksite, even if the worksites are located in the same environment, industrial complex, or campus.

Note that small businesses with fewer than 50 employees must post the notice; however, they potentially may be able to qualify for the small business exemption if providing leave under the act jeopardizes the viability of the business as a going concern.  According to the United States Department of Labor, guidance on the small business exemption will be addressed in forthcoming regulations.

The U.S. Department of Labor has posted its answers to frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) concerning FFCRA, in order to provide compliance assistance to employers.  The FAQs are updated regularly and may be accessed by clicking on the following link:  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions

This Client Alert has been prepared by Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. for informational purposes only and does not constitute advertising or solicitation and should not be used or taken as legal advice. Those seeking legal advice should contact a member of the Firm or legal counsel licensed in their state. Transmission of this information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Confidential information should not be sent to Sills Cummis & Gross without first communicating directly with a member of the Firm about establishing an attorney-client relationship.