Families First Coronavirus Response Act

To: Deans, Directors and Department Heads

From: Jami Painter, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, System HR

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was recently signed into law by President Trump. This act is effective April 1, 2020 and creates the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to help protect families and workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

Provides paid sick leave to employees unable to work or telework due to COVID-19 for eligible reasons, regardless of leave time earned per the organization’s leave policy. Employees are eligible from the first day of employment. More information about eligible categories of employees, reasons allowed for taking this leave, and other specifics will be provided to your unit’s HR contacts.

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act

Extends family and medical leave to include a qualifying reason for employees unable to work or telework because their child’s school or day care has closed, or their care provider is unavailable due to COVID-19. Certain restrictions apply.

Your university human resources office is working with System HR to implement the provisions under the Act by April 1st. Information will be communicated to your HR representative(s) and employees in the next week.