The California Labor Commissioner’s office has updated its FAQs regarding 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) to clarify whether an employee’s leave request qualifies for SPSL. Specifically, the update offers clarification around leave for childcare purposes; whether a covered employee qualifies for leave because someone they live with is exposed, experiences symptoms, or is diagnosed with COVID-19; and at what point an employer must make the 2021 SPSL available to a covered employee. The Labor Commissioner also stated that because both the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) emergency paid sick leave and the 2020 California SPSL laws expired on December 31, 2020, the 2021 COVID-19 SPSL law is a new obligation requiring an additional bank of time for COVID-19 related sick leave.
Tips: Read our previous Alert for more information on California’s 2021 COVID-19 SPSL and see our Model Policy, 2021 California Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Policy. Questions? Contact your Vigilant Law Group employment attorney.
