Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), parents with children forced to stay home due to school or daycare closures may qualify for two weeks of paid sick leave and ten more weeks of extended family medical leave. Recently issued regulations clarify the documentation the parents must supply. Employers seeking to recoup the cost of leave through payroll tax credits need to make sure they collect this documentation.

The regulations require anyone seeking leave under FFCRA to provide a signed statement that includes:

1. The employee’s name;
2. The date(s) for which leave is requested;
3. The COVID-19 qualifying reason for the leave; and
4. A statement that the employee can’t work or telework because of that reason.

Depending on the qualifying reason, additional documentation is required. In the case of parents seeking leave to care for children, that includes:

1. The name of the child being cared for;
2. The name of the school or daycare that is unavailable; and
3. A statement that no other suitable person is available to provide care during the time for which leave is requested.

The regulations also make clear that leave is available for parents of children over eighteen whose physical or mental limitations make parental care necessary. Conversely, parents seeking leave to care for children over fourteen need to explain the special circumstances that make parental care necessary.

If you are an employer with questions about documenting leave for your employees, contact our office at info@wrightbeamer.com or (248) 477-6300.