DOL Issues Posters & Other Materials Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 25, 2020, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor issued the poster/notice required to be posted by covered private sector employers (i.e., those with fewer than 500 employees) under the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act.”  A copy is available here. 

The DOL also issued a “Frequently Asked Questions” about the notices, which is available here.  It reminds covered private sector employers that they are required (“must”) post the notice of the requirements of The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in one or more conspicuous places on its premises. Perhaps showing a sense of humor, the FAQ included a question that began, “I am running out of wall space. Can I put the required notices in a binder that I put on the wall?”  The answer is “no.” One must post the poster in conspicuous place(s) where the poster is easily visible to the intended audience -- all employees.

The DOL advised that an employer can satisfy the posting requirement by emailing or direct mailing the notice to employees, or posting the required notice on an employee information internal or external website.  A words to wise employers who have employees who may not be frequenting the premises, or even just to “wise employers,” DO IT!  You will not get into trouble by providing more notice than is required.  For employers in the private sector, again, the poster is available here. Print it and post it today!

Also on March 25, 2020, the WHD / DOL published the following Question and Answer materials:

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers

COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act: Questions and Answers

COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act: Questions and Answers

As well as summaries of:

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements

Finally, a copy of Field Assistance Bulletin 2020-1: “Temporary Non-Enforcement Period Applicable to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)” is available here.