The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which was signed into law on March 18, 2020, expanded paid leave for all government employers and private-sector employers with fewer than 500 workers. The law included language that said employers must post a public notice informing employees of their rights to emergency paid sick leave.
This left many employers with questions. If they posted a notice in their workplace, how would employees who are working remotely ever see it?
Yesterday, the DOL issued FFCRA model notices for employers and guidance on posting—And yes, employers will be able to email or direct mail the notice to employees or post it on an employee internal or external website.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice (FFRCA) Model Notices
The Department of Labor (DOL) provided FFCRA model notices for employers and federal employers.
You can find the sample posters here:
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Notice: Frequently Asked Questions
The DOL has also issued guidance for employers regarding posting the FFCRA notices. The FAQs cover the most common employer questions including the following.
Where do I post this notice? Since most of my workforce is teleworking, where do I electronically “post” this notice?
Each covered employer must post a notice of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requirements in a conspicuous place on its premises. An employer may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to employees, or posting this notice on an employee information internal or external website.
Do I have to post this notice in other languages that my employees speak? Where can I get the notice in other languages
You are not required to post this notice in multiple languages, but the Department of Labor (Department) is working to translate it into other languages.
[Upcoming Webcast for U.S. Multiemployer Plans: Understanding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) of 2020 | March 31, 2020]
Do I have to give notice of the FFCRA requirements to new hires?
Yes, if you hire a job applicant, you must convey this notice to them, either by email, direct mail, or by posting this notice on the premises or on an employee information internal or external website.
If my state provides greater protections than the FFCRA, do I still have to post this notice?
Yes, all covered employers must post this notice regardless of whether their state requires greater protections. The employer must comply with both federal and state law.
I am a small business owner. Do I have to post this notice?
Yes. All employers covered by the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the FFCRA (i.e., certain public sector employers and private sector employers with fewer than 500 employees) are required to post this notice.
Our employees must report to our main office headquarters each morning and then go off to work at our different worksite locations. Do we have to post this notice at all of our different worksite locations?
The notice needs to be displayed in a conspicuous place where employees can see it. If they are able to see it at the main office, it is not necessary to display the notice at your different worksite locations.
Do I have to pay for notices?
No. To obtain notices free of charge, contact the Department’s Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Alternatively, you may download and print the notice yourself.
We have break rooms on each floor in our building. Do I have to post notices in each break room on each floor or can I just post them in the lunchroom?
If all of your employees regularly visit the lunchroom, then you can post all required notices there. If not, then you can post the notices in the break rooms on each floor or in another location where they can easily be seen by employees on each floor.
Employers can find the full list of frequently asked questions about posting FFCRA notices here.
[Related Reading: DOL Issues Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): Questions and Answers]
Coronavirus and the Workplace
To learn more about the coronavirus and the workplace, including the latest guidance on FFCRA, visit:
- The International Foundation Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources page
- The latest COVID-19 articles from Word on Benefits including:
- Free Member Webcasts:
- Understanding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) of 2020 | March 31, 2020
- Coronavirus in the Workplace: U.S. Regulatory Considerations | Available on demand
Brenda Hofmann
Communications Manager at the International Foundation
The latest from Word on Benefits:
Debbie Beitz
Does this information apply to employers with10 or less employees?
Vincent Pascale # 205530
Does this apply to public sector/municipal employers? The notice refers to “certain public sector employers”, but does not specify which ones.