As of January 1, employers will no longer be required to grant employees taking COVID-19 two weeks of paid leave.
According to Buzzfeed News, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked the extension of paid leave from the $ 900 billion stimulus package approved by Congress earlier this week.
According to the Huffington Post, Democrats wanted to extend paid leave in the new year because there is an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. However, Republicans felt that the renewal of the mandate would make it permanent, which they did not want to happen.
In March, Congress passed the CARES law, which required employers to offer employees up to two weeks of paid sick leave if they contract COVID and two weeks of paid leave to care for a sick relative. It also allowed employers to use up to 10 weeks of paid family leave if a child’s school or garden was closed due to the coronavirus.
Although the latest incentive bill does not extend sick leave or family leave, the bill would still allow businesses to subsidize costs with a refundable tax credit if they offer paid leave until March 31, 2021.
According to CNBC, 87 million workers are eligible for paid sick leave, and family leave under the act could be affected.