DOL Releases Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) shares resources for employer and employee preparation for the COVID-19 virus.

Below you will find a list of helpful resources:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has resources to help prepare employers and employees for personal safety in the workplace.

• OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in response to coronavirus in the workplace.
• Temporary OSHA Guidance on Respiratory Protection Standard – Suggests options to increase the availability of N95 filtering face-piece respirators for healthcare providers.
• COVID-19 Webpage – Provides infection prevention information specifically for employers and workers.

The Wage and Hour Division provides information on how to respond to common issues employers and workers face in response to COVID-19. This information includes the effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The Employment and Training Administration announced new guidance outlining state leniencies in administering their unemployment insurance programs to assist Americans affected by this pandemic. Federal law does not require an employee to quit in order to receive benefits due to this impact. There are multiple scenarios related to COVID-19 where federal law allows states to pay benefits:

• An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employers from coming to work;
• An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and
• An individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or to care for a family member.

The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs has released guidance for federal employees outlining Federal Employees' Compensation Act coverage as it relates to the coronavirus.

See some news articles regarding employment and coronavirus below:

• S. Department of Labor Issues Temporary Enforcement Guidance for Respirator Fit-Testing in Healthcare during COVID-19 Outbreak (3/14/2020)
• S. Department of Labor Announces New Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities During COVID-19 Outbreak (3/12/2020)
• S. Department of Labor Offers Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus (3/9/2020)

EEOC General Resources:

For further information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s coronavirus website.  

Learn how the U.S. government is responding to coronavirus at www.usa.gov/coronavirus.