HOUSTON – Firm founder Ashish Mahendru was interviewed by the Houston NBC affiliate KPRC Channel 2 discussing the impact of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on small businesses and self-employed individuals.

During the segment, Mr. Mahendru stressed how the new measure would dramatically increase several benefits from existing law, particularly those involving family medical leave and paid sick leave.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.

Mr. Mahendru notes that under the new plan, employers would be required to provide 10 days of paid sick leave and up to 12 weeks of expanded family medical leave at “not less” than two-thirds their regular rate. He adds that workers also would be eligible for expanded family medical leave if:

• They are sick and have to be quarantined or treated for coronavirus
• They are caring for a family member who has coronavirus
• They are staying home due to a child whose school or daycare facility has closed

This benefit, which applies to companies with fewer than 500 employees, would be available for people affected by the coronavirus through Dec. 31, 2020.