Last week, Congress passed and President Trump signed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The legislation requires businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide 12 weeks of job-protected family and medical leave and two weeks of paid sick leave for coronavirus related reasons.

While these mandates are for businesses with fewer than 500 employees, companies with fewer than 50 employees can request a hardship exemption from the Department of Labor (DOL). In addition, employers qualify for dollar-for-dollar reimbursement through tax credits for all qualifying wages paid under the FFCRA.

This week, the DOL will be hosting a national online dialogue to provide employers and employees with an opportunity to offer their perspective as DOL develops compliance assistance materials and outreach strategies related to the implementation of the FFCRA.

The ideas and comments gathered from this dialogue will inform compliance assistance guidance, resources and tools, as well as outreach approaches to assist employers and employees in understanding their responsibilities and rights under the FFCRA.

DOL requests your input by this Sunday, March 29. Anybody who is interested can participate online or check out ePolicyWorks on Twitter for the responses to a Twitter chat held yesterday using #FPWchat.

For more information on FFCRA requirements, visit DOL online.

Wyatt Stewart is Big “I” senior director of federal government affairs.