As you may be aware, the provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired December 31, 2020. The FFCRA, which can be found summarized here, created a requirement for qualifying employers to provide paid leave for eligible employees who were unable to work or telework for reasons related to COVID-19.
While the requirement to provide paid leave for COVID-19 related absences lapsed with the expiration of the FFCRA, counties can continue to provide paid leave to employees in accordance with their formally adopted personnel policies. We would recommend that officials review their personnel policies and determine if changes to those policies are necessary based upon how employees with COVID-19 related absences will be treated as of January 1, 2021.
As of the date of this notice, Congress is currently in negotiations regarding a second relief package. However, to our knowledge, that relief package does not currently contain an extension of the paid leave provisions as required by the FFCRA. We will continue to monitor pending legislation and provide further updates as necessary.