Will you get paid leave, if you contract Covid at work?

"If we get COVID at work do we get paid from employer?"  This was the question that was asked during a career panel last week. 

While this is a very pertinent question, it is also complicated.  However, after much research here is your answer:  Most employers are providing paid time off for time that you must take off to get better from contracting COVID at work.  However, this will vary from employment place to employment place and it will depend on what your employment status is with the company, the number of hours you work, and if you qualify to receive any "sick leave benefits." This is where the complicated part is, so I have come up with four contact and reference points to consider when determining if you qualify for paid time off.

1.  Your Human Resources department and sometimes it is called the Employee Relations department.
2.  Your direct supervisor or hiring manager, who should be trained in how to authorize  paid sick leave due to COVID.
3.   Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provided anyone who contracted COVID paid leave under qualifying employment conditions.  However, this act has expired as of the end of December 2020.  There is talk of having the act reinstated again, but that is yet to be determined.  However, many employers are still honoring it if it falls under qualifying conditions. 
4. The US Department of Labor updated their FAQ's on FFCRA for more details on paid leave due to COVID.

I hope this helps anyone looking for information on COVID paid leave.

Author

Analia Mendez, CEO of Signature Careers- A Career Transitioning Company