In Florida, employers are not legally required to provide mandatory paid leave to their employees. However, under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), some employers may be required to provide paid leave to employees who are affected by COVID-19.
Under the FFCRA, employers with fewer than 500 employees are required to provide up to two weeks (80 hours) of paid sick leave to employees who are subject to quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19, experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, caring for an individual who is subject to quarantine or isolation, or caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed due to COVID-19. The paid sick leave must be provided at the employee's regular rate of pay, up to a maximum of $511 per day ($5,110 in total).
In addition to the paid sick leave provisions, the FFCRA also requires that covered employers provide employees with up to an additional 10 weeks of paid family and medical leave if they need to care for a child whose school or place of care is closed due to COVID-19. This leave must be paid at two-thirds of the employee's regular rate of pay, up to a maximum of $200 per day ($10,000 in total).
It's important to note that the FFCRA is currently set to expire on December 31, 2020. However, it is possible that the federal government may extend or modify the provisions of the FFCRA in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are an employer in Florida and are unsure about your obligations under the FFCRA or other applicable employment laws, it is recommended that you consult with a licensed attorney who is familiar with the relevant legal requirements and precedents.
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