The Department of Labor's temporary non-enforcement of the new paid leave mandates enacted as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ended earlier this week and already DOL has announced its first successful enforcement action.
According to DOL, this case was pretty straight forward -- an Arizona electrical contractor refused to provide Emergency Paid Sick Leave to an employee who was ordered to self-quarantine by health care professionals with potential coronavirus symptoms.
As a result of DOL's investigation, the company has been ordered to pay the employee for 80 hours of paid sick leave at normal rate of pay, or $20 per hour.
In its announcement of this enforcement action, DOL emphasized that this case should serve as a signal to other employers that DOL is working to protect employee rights during the coronavirus pandemic. DOL also encouraged employers to use its online resources or contact them for assistance in complying with the new requirements.