COVID-19 FAQ

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• My child's school is closed due to Covid-19.  Can I be fired for missing work because I don't have child care?
  No. Most employees are protected from termination during Covid-19 if they miss work to watch their kids whose schools are closed.  

• Can I get paid leave to watch my children if their school is closed?  
  Yes. Employees are entitled to 2 weeks of paid leave (2/3 regular pay) if they miss work to watch their kids whose schools are closed.  If employee has worked for an employer for at least 30 days, employees can take an additional 10 weeks of paid leave (2/3 regular pay) to provide child care for their kids whose schools are closed.

• Can I be terminated if I miss work to self-quarantine or to seek Covid-related medical care?
  No. An employer cannot terminate an employee who misses work to self-quarantines or seek medical care related to Covid-19. 

• Can I be terminated for missing work to care for a friend or family member who is quarantined?​​​​
  No. Employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid sick leave to care for a friend or family member subject to quarantine under Federal, State or local government order.

• Does my employer have to pay me if I miss work to care for someone who is quarantined? 
  Employees are entitled to 2 weeks of paid leave (2/3 regular pay) if they miss work to care for an individual subject to quarantine under Federal, State or local government order. 

• Can an employer require me to exhaust paid sick leave if I self-quarantine?

  No. The employer cannot require you to use paid sick leave for this purpose. If an employee does decide to use paid sick leave, the employer can require they take a minimum of two hours of paid sick leave. The determination of how much paid sick leave will be used is up to the employee.

• Can an employer require a worker to provide information about recent travel to countries considered to be high-risk for exposure to the coronavirus?

  Yes. Employers can request that employees inform them if they are planning or have traveled to countries considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be high-risk areas for exposure to the coronavirus. However, employees have a right to medical privacy, so the employer cannot inquire into areas of medical privacy.

• Can my employer send me home if I appear to have Covid-19 symptoms? 
  Yes. Employers are mandated to keep your co-workers safe and help stop the spread of the virus. However, you may be entitled to up to 12 weeks of paid sick leave. 

• Do I get paid if my employer sends me home because of Covid-19?

  If an employee reports for their regularly scheduled shift but is required to work fewer hours or is sent home because of Covid-19, the employee must be compensated for at least two hours, or no more than four hours, of reporting time pay. 

• I'm an exempt employee on salary. Does my employer have to pay me during business closures? 
  It depends.  Employers must pay exempt employees for the entire week if any work was performed before closure.  However, for weeks you perform no work due to closure your employer does not need to pay you. 
  
  For more detailed information concerning your rights related to Covid-19, please contact Christopher Taylor at (626) 219-6008.