Employment – COVID-19 Issues
Below are selected websites from reliable sources, vetted by our Law Librarians. This is not an exhaustive list of information available on this topic, but a starting point to provide you with basic information during this pandemic.
Last updated April 3, 2020
General Information
CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. Among other things, this Act will provide emergency loans to distressed businesses such as air carriers; funds grants and technical assistance for small businesses; places limits on requirements for employers to provide paid leave; delays due dates for payroll taxes and makes other tax related rule revisions. The link below provides a summary and full text of the Act:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3548
Summary Chart of Benefits for Workers Impacted by COVID-19 (includes eligibility information and how to file a claim for disability, paid family leave and sick leave, unemployment and workers compensation):
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Employers and Workers
Employment Development Department FAQ’s about COVID-19 and the workplace:
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Employers and Workers
FAQ’s about labor laws in California and COVID-19 (sick leave and other paid leave, questions employers can ask, and retaliation):
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm (English)
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Spanish/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm (Spanish)
What to do if you lose your job or hours due to COVID-19:
Here’s what you can do if you lose work due to COVID-19 in California
OnwardCA.org – resources and job opportunities for workers in California who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic:
U.S. Dept. of Labor Coronavirus Resources (workplace safety; wages, hours and leave; unemployment and general resources:
https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus
National Conference of State Legislatures
Information on the impact of COVID-19 on employment and labor issues, including licensing, sick leave, unemployment insurance and teleworking.
https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/covid-19-impact-on-employment-and-labor.aspx
A video about employer concerns and COVID-19 from the California Lawyers Association:
A video about employee health and safety and COVID-19 from the California Lawyers Association:
Disability Insurance
Information about Disability Insurance in California and how to make a claim if you are sick and cannot work:
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm
Paid Leave
Information about paid family leave in California and COVID-19:
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm
California’s Paid sick leave law:
Video about employee leave laws and COVID-19 from California Lawyers Association:
The U.S. Dept. of Labor, Wage & Hour Division released a new regulation on April 1, 2020 to clarify the emergency paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Among other things this new rule clarifies that an employee may use leave time such as vacation or personal leave concurrently with the expanded leave provided by the Act:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/Pandemic/FFCRA.pdf
Unemployment Insurance
Eligibility:
https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/eligibility.htm
Filing a Claim:
https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm
Department of Labor Guidance on Unemployment Flexibility During COVID-19 Outbreak:
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200312-0
For video tutorials on how to file an unemployment claim, how to reopen a claim, and how to certify for continuing benefits, in English, Spanish, and several other languages, scroll to the bottom of this page:
https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm
Como solicitar pagos de beneficios del UI (presente una solicitud)(Espanol)
Employment Discrimination
Job protection and employment discrimination, including discrimination based on medical condition:
Information for Employers
Reduced work hours, potential closures or layoffs, and payroll tax assistance:
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
Work Sharing Program (alternative to layoffs):
https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program.htm
Coronavirus in the Workplace – What You Need to Know (Thomson Reuters):
https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/blog/coronavirus-in-the-workplace-what-you-need-to-know/
Information for businesses from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development:
Sample Language and Templates for Employers – Coronavirus in the Workplace
The law firm Fisher Phillips has created some sample language and templates for employers dealing with issues related to Coronavirus in the workplace that they are making available for free on their website (including COVID-19 Talking Points for Managers, Model Announcement to Employees about Positive Test, Authorization to Disclose COVID-19 Diagnosis, and What You Should Know About Coronavirus and Your Employment)
https://www.fisherphillips.com/data-bank-templates-forms
U.S. Department of Labor
Information for employers from the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the impact of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on sick leave, family leave, wage and hour issues, and more.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic
San Diego Employers Association
This association has COVID-19 Helpful links for employers that are regularly updated, including Coronavirus Frequently Asked HR Questions.
