Federal information and resources
March 6, 2020 – President Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act into law. This bill provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
March 18, 2020 – the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. Among other efforts to provide assistance to families impacted by the coronavirus, this bill includes a requirement for paid sick leave to eligible employees due to certain circumstances related to COVID-19 (See Division E). The bill also includes provisions to require paid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act under certain conditions (See Division C). Families First Coronavirus Response Act
See the COVID-19 and the workplace site for fact sheets, questions and answers, posters, and the Field Assistance Bulletin.
April 1, 2020 – U.S. DOL Wage and Hour (WHD) announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the FFCRA. Wage and Hour posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective April 1.
WHD will post a pre-recorded webinar on Friday, April 3, 2020, to provide interested parties a more in-depth description and help them learn more about the FFCRA. To view the webinar visit: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic.
WHD invites webinar viewers to call the agency’s toll-free help line at (866) 4US-WAGE to speak with trained WHD professional about any questions you may have. Please also check WHD's COVID-19 response website often, as it continues to update the compliance assistance information available there. Similarly, signing up for the U.S. DOL Key News Alerts will ensure that you remain current with all notice requirements.
The WHD Seattle District Office is also available at (206) 398-8039 to offer assistance to its stakeholders in the business, government and worker communities in Alaska, Washington and Northern Idaho.
COVID-19 employment complaints
Seattle District Office: (206) 398-8039
Wage and Hour Nationwide toll free: (866) 487-9243
Federal CARES Act infomation
CARES Act: On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law what is known as the CARES Act. This act creates emergency relief to unemployed workers affected by COVID-19. This act will provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to individuals that are self-employed and not eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation which provides an additional $600 payment for any eligible week of regular UI benefits, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation which provides federal UI payments to someone who has exhausted all of their regular UI benefits. Alaska will continue to update our information concerning the CARES Act as it becomes available.
- Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act [PDF]
- Health care system enhancements, and Economic Stabilization [PDF]
- The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act [PDF]
Mandates and press releases
- 3/17/2020 – DOLWD PRESS RELEASE: Labor commissioner anticipates substantial increase of individuals filing for Unemployment Insurance
- 3/23/2020 – Health Mandate 009 – Personal care services and gatherings statewide
- 3/25/2020 – NEWS RELEASE: U.S. Department of Labor publishes guidance explaining paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
US DOL Coronavirus Resources
For your reference, the U.S. Department of Labor has published a Coronavirus Resource page containing all relevant COVID-19 guidance, frequently asked questions, and press releases. You may also obtain agency-specific COVID-19 information through the following links:
- Employment and Training Administration - This website outlines the unemployment insurance resources available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It also describes the process for filing an unemployment insurance claim in the state where you worked.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration - The OSHA website offers a variety of resources (alerts, interim enforcement guidance, control and prevention, etc.) designed to protect American workers from COVID-19.
- Wage and Hour Division - The WHD website provides fact sheets, posters, and frequently asked questions on implementing new Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family Medical Leave.