Preparing for summer with kids at home: FFCRA and unemployment options

Many of us have worked from home over the past few months, some with kids in tow. With the school year coming to an end, COVID-19 may thwart plans to send the kids off to summer camp or day camp. Parents who find themselves in a bind for summer childcare may have options under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and Maine unemployment provisions, and employers should closely analyze each employee’s unique circumstances.

FFCRA leave options

Here’s a quick refresher on FFCRA childcare-related leaves:

• Employees are eligible for up to 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed, or whose childcare provider is unavailable, because of COVID-19 precautions.
• They also are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave to care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed, or whose childcare provider is unavailable, because of COVID-19 precautions.

Employees seeking childcare-related FFCRA leave must be unable to work or telework, and compensation is capped at daily and aggregate limits.