Following a 2020 investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Eagle Cleaning Services — a janitorial company based in Bessemer, Alabama — was found to have violated the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The FFCRA provides eligible employees with up to two weeks of paid leave and an additional 10 weeks of paid leave at two-thirds their regular rate to care for children when schools or childcare providers are closed due to COVID-19. Eagle Cleaning Services wrongly denied paid leave to an employee who had to stay home with children engaged in distance learning during pandemic-related school closures.
As a result of the WHD investigation, the company paid $2,066 in back wages and agreed to comply with FFCRA requirements moving forward.
Lessons learned from this case:
- Employers must thoroughly understand and adhere to employment laws and regulations, particularly those related to employee leave and benefits.
- Employers should communicate their policies and responsibilities to employees clearly. Providing training to staff about their rights and the company’s obligations under laws like the FFCRA is crucial in ensuring that both parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
- The case highlights that government agencies are actively monitoring and enforcing compliance with employment laws.
If you want to know more about employee leave rights, read our guide on Alabama Leave Laws.
