A coronavirus response bill signed into law March 18 by President Trump requires all employers with fewer than 500 workers to provide paid sick leave and family care leave.
Employers with fewer than 50 workers can file for a hardship exemption with the U.S. Department of Labor.
The paid-leave provisions of the law take effect April 1 and expire December 31.
The law requires up to 80 hours of paid sick leave for employees who have COVID-19 or are seeking preventive care for the illness.
For contractors and other employers, that will mean providing the paid leave at regular pay rates for not only full-time employees but part-time employees as well. Part-time workers are eligible for leave pay equal to their normal weekly hours.
