Essential Protections During the COVID-19 Pandemic

En español

The Wage and Hour Division is committed to protecting and enhancing the welfare of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, provide critical worker protections regarding wages and hours worked and job-protected leave during the pandemic.  The resources below offer information on common issues employers and employees face during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Questions about your pay?

• COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act: Questions and Answers
  • El COVID-19 y la Ley de Normas Justas de Trabajo (FLSA, por sus siglas en inglés): Preguntas y Respuestas (PDF)
• COVID-19 and Agricultural Workers: Questions and Answers
  • El COVID-19 y los Trabajadores Agrícolas: Preguntas y Respuestas (PDF)

Questions about break time for nursing mothers?

• Nursing Mothers and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
  • Madres lactantes y el COVID-19: Preguntas y Respuestas (PDF)

Questions about time off from work if you or a family member are sick?

• COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act: Questions and Answers
  • El COVID-19 y la Ley de Ausencia Familiar y Médica: preguntas y respuestas (PDF)

Presentations

• Essential Workers, Essential Protections (PDF)
  • Trabajadores Esenciales, Protecciones Esenciales (PDF)
• Essential Workers, Essential Protections - Agriculture (PDF)
  • Trabajadores Esenciales, Protecciones Esenciales – Agricultura (PDF)

Contact Us

Report wage, hour and leave concerns at https://webapps.dol.gov/contactwhd/ or 1-866-487-9243.

Helpful Links

• Executive Order 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors
• U.S. Department of Labor Coronavirus Resources
• IRS Paid Sick Leave Tax Credit
• HHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- more information about Coronavirus
• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act -- The requirement that employers provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired on Dec. 31, 2020. Tax credits remain available to employers who voluntarily continue to provide paid sick leave for COVID-19 related reasons.