Sick leave during the pandemic

Federal: Emergency federal legislation requires companies with fewer than 500 employees to provide paid sick leave related to the coronavirus, but only in certain circumstances under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Employees are entitled to several weeks of leave if they have been diagnosed with or are quarantining because of the coronavirus. Those with child or family care needs may also qualify for mandatory paid leave.

California: Among other options, food sector workers — including those involved in packing, handling, delivery and agriculture — are entitled to supplemental paid sick leave under a recent executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, but only for two weeks and only if a worker is subject to a government or medical quarantine order or if their employer is prohibiting them from working because of concerns about the virus.

Bay Area: Cities including San Francisco and San Jose have passed legislation providing sick leave for employees impacted by the coronavirus who are not otherwise entitled to leave. San Francisco’s ordinance gives workers an extra two weeks of leave if they are sick or might have been exposed to the virus.