City of Los Angeles Expands Paid Sick Leave for Large Employers

Mayor Garcetti signed an emergency Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Order on April 7, 2020 requiring employers to provide up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave if the employer fits in one of the following two categories:

(1) Employer has 500 or more employees within the boundaries of the City of Los Angeles, or

(2) Employer has 2,000 or more employees in the United States.

This order is meant to supplement the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (see our March 18 blog post) to ensure all employers within the City of Los Angeles are providing COVID-19 related paid sick leave to their employees.

Under the new order, supplemental paid sick time can be used if the employee takes time off work because:

1. The employee is infected with COVID-19 or because a public health official or healthcare provider requires or recommends the employee isolate or self-quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19;

2. The employee is at least 65 years old or has a specified health condition (e.g., heart disease, asthma, or diabetes);

3. The employee is caring for a family member who is not sick, but is isolating or under self-quarantine as required or recommended by a public health official or healthcare provider; or

4. The employee is caring for a family member whose senior care provider or child (under the age of 18) whose school or childcare provider temporarily ceases operations in response to a public health or other public official’s recommendation. Note, this provision only applies to an employee who is unable to secure a reasonable alternative caregiver.

We are diligently working to provide as much information as possible to employees during this pandemic and are happy to answer questions. (818) 405-0080.