Coronavirus and the Construction Industry
03.03.2020
By: Safran Staff
With the spread of the COVID-19 virus recently reaching the United States, the construction industry has already been seeing impacts for months.
For example, over 50,000 construction workers in Hong Kong have become jobless due to the outbreak. While not the first crisis to recently affect the United States construction industry, it’s possible that the Coronavirus will have some type of influence on the entire workforce and economy.
This article will focus on what you can do to help prepare your workforce before impacted.
North Carolina and South Carolina Sick Leave Laws
Currently, neither North Carolina nor South Carolina require private employers to provide sick leave for employees. However, an employer may be subject to the medical leave policies set out by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The employer must comply with the FMLA if it has 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius for at least 20 work weeks in the current or preceding calendar year.
Under the FMLA, eligible employees may receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid lease during any 12-month period for “a serious health condition that renders an employee unable to perform the functions of his or her position.” The term serious health condition is defined as “illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves” either inpatient care in a hospital, or continuing treatment by a healthcare provider. Therefore, while an employee in insolation because of the Coronavirus likely will not be covered under the individual State’s laws, they are likely protected under the FMLA.
In Conclusion
Due to the spread of the Coronavirus, employers should determine whether they are subject to the FMLA and continue to monitor the spread of the virus. Reviewing your current policies with possible revising, and general preparation for remote-work possibilities are all recommended.
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