Changes to Health Care Provider Leave Exemptions Under FFCRA

WSHA issued a policy bulletin to inform hospitals about the narrowed definition of “health care provider” as it applies to the employee leave exemptions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The narrowed definition means the leave exemption applies only to doctors, nurses, nurse assistants, medical technicians, and any other employees integrated into the provision of health care services. The FFCRA applies to employers with 500 or fewer employees, including hospitals. If your hospital is covered under the FFCRA, review the bulletin with your legal counsel to ensure your hospital is applying the leave exemption consistent with the revised regulations. (David Streeter, davids@wsha.org)