Proposal to Extend COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave with Attorney Jennifer Shaw

A proposal was released Wednesday to extend COVID-19 paid sick leave for nine months.

We checked in with Jennifer Shaw, President of the Shaw Law Group to learn more about it is...

As outlined, the proposal would reinstate temporary benefits for another nine months, retroactive to January 1, 2022, and will apply to employees who have contracted COVID-19, are subject to quarantine or isolation, as defined by state or federal authorities, are getting the vaccine or recovering from side effects from the vaccine, or are caring for a sick family member or child unable to attend school.

The proposal includes the following specific elements:

• Exempts small employers;
• Allows employers to require proof of a positive COVID-19 test if the employee is seeking more than 40 hours of leave;
• Limits the number of hours that can be used to attend a vaccine appointment or recover from vaccine-related side effects to 24 hours;
• Limits duration—expires at the end of September 2022;
• Limits the number of hours that can be used to 40 unless the employee or a family member tests positive for COVID-19;
• Ensures the rate of pay matches existing paid sick leave; and
• Makes wage statement reporting far less complicated.