The Office of Personnel Management has issued a guidance memo that outlines the circumstances under which federal employees can qualify for paid sick leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA).
The EPSLA is a part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which was signed into law in March.
The EPSLA provides employees with up to 2 weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave in specified circumstances related to COVID-19 coronavirus unless they are in an exempted category. The paid sick leave is in addition to any other paid leave entitlements.
The OPM memo says that federal employees are eligible for paid sick leave under this law and describes the circumstances under which they would qualify. The paid sick leave may only be used during the period from April 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.
Some of the qualifying circumstances include being quarantined due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, having symptoms of the virus, or caring for an individual who is ill with the virus.
A copy of the memo is included below which outlines the full guidance and details EPSLA from OPM.
OPM Summary of Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act
