If you believe that your employer is covered and is improperly refusing you paid sick leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, the Department encourages you to raise and try to resolve your concerns with your employer. Regardless of whether you discuss your concerns with your employer, if you believe your employer is improperly refusing you paid sick leave, you may call 1-866-4US-WAGE (1-866-487-9243).
What if an employee refuses to come to work for fear of infection?
- Your policies, that have been clearly communicated, should address this.
- Educating your workforce is a critical part of your responsibility.
- Local and state regulations may address what you have to do and you should align with them.
What are some of the potential long-term effects of COVID-19?
“Long COVID” describes a range of ongoing health problems weeks or even months after recovering. The symptoms of long COVID can include coughing, tiredness, headache, loss of taste or smell, numbness, muscle pain, memory loss or difficulty focusing, tight chest, or feeling breathless.
What are some neurological long-term side effects of COVID-19 after recovery?
A variety of neurological health complications have been shown to persist in some patients who recover from COVID-19. Some patients who recover from their illness may continue to experience neuropsychiatric issues, including fatigue, ‘fuzzy brain,’ or confusion.
Are there any long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccine?
Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unlikely following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose.
Can I be forced to work during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Generally, your employer may require you to come to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some government emergency orders may affect which businesses can remain open during the pandemic. Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a safe and healthful workplace.
Am I eligible for PUA benefits if I quit my job because of COVID-19?
There are multiple qualifying circumstances related to COVID-19 that can make an individual eligible for PUA, including if the individual quits his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19. Quitting to access unemployment benefits is not one of them.
Under what health conditions should an employee not enter the workspace during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Consider encouraging individuals planning to enter the workplace to self-screen prior to coming onsite and not to attempt to enter the workplace if any of the following are present:
- Symptoms of COVID-19
- Fever equal to or higher than 100.4°F*
- Are under evaluation for COVID-19 (for example, waiting for the results of a viral test to confirm infection)
- Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared to discontinue isolation
*A lower temperature threshold (e.g., 100.0°F) may be used, especially in healthcare settings.
Who is a covered employer that must provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the FFCRA?
Generally, if you employ fewer than 500 employees you are a covered employer that must provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. For additional information on the 500 employee threshold, see Question 2. Certain employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt from the Act’s requirements to provide certain paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. For additional information regarding this small business exemption, see Question 4 and Questions 58 and 59 below.
Certain public employers are also covered under the Act and must provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave.
How do I know if I can receive paid sick leave for a Federal, State, or local quarantine order related to COVID-19?
For purposes of the FFCRA, a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order includes quarantine or isolation orders, as well as shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders, issued by any Federal, State, or local government authority that cause you to be unable to work (or to telework) even though your employer has work that you could perform but for the order. You may not take paid sick leave for this qualifying reason if your employer does not have work for you as a result of a shelter-in-place or a stay-at-home order.
What is the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)?
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provided additional flexibility for state unemployment insurance agencies and additional administrative funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27. It expands states’ ability to provide unemployment insurance for many workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including for workers who are not ordinarily eligible for unemployment benefits. For more information, please refer to the resources available below.
How long do you need to stay home after coming into close contact with someone who has COVID-19?
Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their last exposure to that person.
Should I let my employee come to work after being exposed to COVID-19?
Bringing exposed workers back should not be the first or most appropriate option to pursue in managing critical work tasks. Quarantine for 14 days is still the safest approach to limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the chance of an outbreak among the workforce.
When should an employee suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 return to work?
Employees should not return to work until they meet the criteria to discontinue home isolation and have consulted with a healthcare provider. Employers should not require a sick employee to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or healthcare provider’s note to return to work.
How can I receive unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 crisis?
To receive unemployment insurance benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Depending on the state, claims may be filed in person, by telephone, or online.
What is the Pandemic Emergengy Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program that was implemented due to COVID-19?
Under the CARES Act states are permitted to extend unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks under the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. PEUC benefits are available for weeks of unemployment beginning after your state implements the new program and ending with weeks of unemployment ending on or before December 31, 2020. The program covers most individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under state or federal law and who are able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work as defined by state law. Importantly, the CARES Act gives states flexibility in determining whether you are “actively seeking work” if you are unable to search for work because of COVID-19, including because of illness, quarantine, or movement restrictions.
Who is considered to be essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Essential (critical infrastructure) workers include health care personnel and employees in other essential workplaces (e.g., first responders and grocery store workers).
Am I eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits if I quite my job during COVID-19 pandemic?
No, typically that employee would not be eligible for regular unemployment compensation or PUA. Eligibility for regular unemployment compensation varies by state but generally does not include those who voluntarily leave employment.
Are asthma patients at higher risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19?
People with moderate-to-severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19. Take steps to protect yourself.
Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
What are some of the serious side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Rare serious adverse events have been reported after COVID-19 vaccination, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after Janssen COVID-19 vaccination and myocarditis after mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) COVID-19 vaccination.
What are the most common side effects of the Moderna and Pfizer booster shot?
The most common side effects reported after getting a third shot of an mRNA vaccine, the type made by Moderna and Pfizer, were pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and fever, followed by chills and nausea.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine immunity last for life?
How long does protection from a COVID-19 vaccine last? It’s not yet known how long COVID-19 vaccine protection lasts. Recent studies show that protection against the virus may decrease over time.