The Department of Labor continues to update the Q&As regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The recent updates have big impacts on parents of school-aged children as schools tackle the decision of how to move forward. No matter what local schools and parents decide, it is important that employers be prepared.
Hybrid Learning: Under this model, children would alternate between days attending school in person and participating in remote learning. Here, parents would be allowed to take FFCRA leave on the days that the child is home participating in remote learning, because school is effectively “closed” on the days of remote learning. The requirement still applies that the employee must actually need to care for the child during that time and there is no other suitable person to do so.
Remote Learning: Some schools are choosing to proceed with only remote learning because of COVID-19. Employees with children who attend such schools would be eligible for FFCRA leave while the school is closed, as long as the employee meets the other requirements. In the event the school reopens at a later time, the employee may lose FFCRA eligibility.
Elective Remote Learning: If an employee has the option of allowing his or her child to attend in person classes or participate in remote learning, the situation changes. Employees who voluntarily sign up for remote learning out of fear their child will contract COVID-19 will lose eligibility for leave under the FFCRA because the school is not “closed.” As long as the school is open for parents to send their children, parents are not eligible for FFCRA leave.