DOL Clarifies Virus-Related Leave Policy for Telework, Furloughs

Businesses that temporarily shutter operations or furlough employees without terminating them will not be required to provide paid sick leave and family leave under the coronavirus-relief measure President Donald Trump signed into law earlier this month, the Labor Department said.

The department’s Wage and Hour Division on Friday updated question-and-answer guidance it released earlier in the week. The move was meant to clear up numerous questions employers and workers have raised about the new mandates, which take effect April 1.

Employers that close their workplaces before April 1—because they don’t have work for employees to perform or they are under ...