On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was passed. The Act has two important new laws for employees, intended to provide relief, as most people’s lives have been impacted in some way by COVID-19: (1) the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act; and (2) the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. FFCRA also offers tax credits and exemptions designed to protect the viability of businesses during a time of economic stress.

1. Implement new technology to operate remotely and conduct business in a virtual environment

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created as part of the $2 trillion stimulus package known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. This program provides $349,000,000 in federally backed loans to businesses to meet financial operational costs like payroll, mortgage interest payments, rent, and utility payments as an incentive to encourage businesses to retain employees during this pandemic.