Families First Coronavirus Response Act – What It Means to Your Business
US Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law on March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, FFCRA, which goes into effect no later than April 2, 2020, and will expire on December 30, 2020. It is important to note that this new legislation only applies to employers with less than 500 employees and is not retroactive. The provisions of this emergency legislation are limited to just this pandemic.
The bill has two separate provisions that impact private entities and individuals that employ fewer than 500 employees. First, it amends the FMLA to allow U.S. workers, including those employed by such entities, to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave if the employee is unable to work or telework due to a need to care for others or for a child under 18 years of age because that child's school or place of care has closed or the child's child care provider is unavailable due to a public health emergency with respect to COVID-19. The Act also provides payroll tax credits to offset all costs of providing these paid leaves.
The Department of Labor, in its initial guidance for implementation of the FFCRA has indicated that “Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may qualify for exemption from the requirement to provide leave due to school closings or child care unavailability if the leave requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.”
The US Department of Labor has issued guidance for both employees and employers in a Fact Sheet for Employees, and a Fact Sheet for Employers. Additionally the Agency has issued a Questions and Answers document addressing most frequently asked questions.
Marcia Kinter is the Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance. Ms. Kinter oversees the development of resources for the Association addressing environmental, safety & health, and sustainability issues. She represents the printing industry, as well as their associated supplier base, before federal and state regulatory agencies on environmental, safety and other government issues directly impacting the printing industry.
In 2008, Kinter, in conjunction with colleagues from other printing trade associations, was instrumental in launching the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership program. The SGP Program is a registry system for printing facilities that includes third party verification. The program successfully launched as an independent organization in August 2008.
Kinter is a member of and serves as Secretary for the Academy of Screen Printing Technology. In 2001, Kinter received the William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award for significant advancement of environmental awareness in the graphic arts industry.
Before joining PRINTING United Alliance, Kinter worked for The American Waterways Operators, Inc., the national association for the barge and towing industry.
She holds bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.
