Catherwood LibraryILR School

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was implemented to ensure particular businesses don't fire employees for taking paid leave, and that two weeks of paid leave is granted if they do become sick due to Covid-19. However, many of the workers in these businesses, often in low-paying positions were even aware that the act existed. Hundreds of U.S. businesses, primarily in the construction, hotel, and food industries, have been cited for denying paid leave to workers during the pandemic, as well as owing back wages to the tune of $690.000 to 527 employees. These are often low-wage earners who cannot afford to take days off when sick; about a third of all employees in the country do not earn paid leave. The violations were likely to occur partly because many workers were unaware of their benefits, as well as companies who were uncertain what the law's coverage entailed. Congress is currently debating over whether to extend the law's benefits further to those who are not yet covered, which includes health care workers, first responders, and those who work at companies with more than 500 employees.