The novel Coronavirus, known as COVID-19 has drastically and quickly altered day-to-day life. The outbreak quickly led to mandatory business closures which resulted in layoffs and extended leaves of absence for many of Nevada’s workers. Nationwide, the Los Angeles time indicated that 18% of workers had lost their jobs. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-03-17/coronavirus-layoffs-work-hours-jobs.
In response to the pandemic, numerous laws have been recently enacted which provide additional protections to America’s workforce. Foremost, among them, were expansions to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
While there are some qualifications, many workers that are employed by companies of 500 or fewer employees, are now entitled to emergency paid sick leave and additional protections from termination for leave that results from COVID-19.
If you have been unable to work due to illness related to COVID-19, if you are caring for someone who is has COVID-19, if you have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine, or you are unable to work due to school closures resulting from COVID-19, an employer is not allowed to terminate your employment under the updated Family and Medical Leave Act.
Full-time employees are eligible to receive 80 hours of paid leave in connection with COVID-19 related issues, and part-time employees are eligible to receive an amount equal to the number of hours worked in a two week period.
Similarly, if you feel that you have been discriminated against due to a COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosis, you may be protected by State and Federal Anti-Discrimination laws.
If your employer is not providing paid leave, or your employment has otherwise been affected due to COVID-19, Ace Law Group is now providing free fifteen minute consultations to speak with one of our experienced attorneys to see if there is any help or guidance that can be given during these troubling times.