As state governments issue stay-at-home orders, employment lawyers across the country have been digesting new employment laws, assisting clients in managing layoffs, furloughs, and leaves of absence, and working to keep up with a changing employment landscape. Federal legislation has imposed dramatic, although temporary, changes to the way employers manage their employees during this trying time. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act) and its regulations impose, for the first time under federal law, paid leave obligations. The CARES Act changes the economics of layoffs, furloughs and reduced hours for employers.

On March 18, President Donald Trump signed the Families First Act into law. The act includes provisions to assist employers and employees during these extraordinary times. The Families First Act creates two forms of paid leave related to the COVID-19 crisis: two-week paid leave (emergency leave); and expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide 12 weeks of paid leave (expanded FMLA leave).