10 Potential Highs And Lows Of Biden’s Stimulus Package

10. Paid Family and Sick Leave

The reality is that a lot of people are risking their lives and health because they do not want to miss a paycheck. As such, millions of workers have been forced to continue working despite health risks for themselves and their colleagues.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act which was enacted in March 2020, made employers with fewer than 500 workers offer up to 80 hours of paid sick leave to employees affected by the virus. This meant that workers who were sick or qualified, had to stay home to take care of another member of the household, or had to take care of minor children who were home for school could take paid leave.

This also extended the Family and Medical Leave Act while employers were offered tax credits in order to be reimbursed for some of the costs. The employer tax credits were extended through March 2021 even though the requirement that employers provide paid leave wasn’t. That’s why President Biden wants to make some changes.

He wants to eliminate exemptions for employers with more than 500 workers or less than 50 workers while extending paid leave requirements. It’s also important that health care workers receive these benefits.

If a child’s school or a loved one’s care center is closed, President Biden wants to offer over 14 weeks of paid sick and family and medical leave for parents. This also extends to people who are living and caring for those with Coronavirus symptoms and those who are quarantining as well as those who need time off to get the vaccine. The plan is to also extend emergency paid leave for federal workers.

President Biden also wants to provide a paid leave benefit of no more than $1,400 per week for eligible workers, meaning that those who earn up to $73,000 annually will get a full wage replacement.

In addition to reimbursing employers with less than 500 employees, the plan is to also reimburse state and local governments for the cost of leave while extending emergency paid leave measures until September 30, 2021.

So, how will these new plans affect you in the near future? Let us know down below by leaving a comment!