March 31, 2020
On March 16, 2020, the City of San Francisco announced a Workers and Families First Program to provide paid sick leave to private sector employees who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide city financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits to provide additional sick leave time to employees, above and beyond their existing policies. All SF employers will be eligible, with up to 20% of the funds reserved for small businesses (those with 50 or fewer employees). SF will contribute up to one week (40 hours) at $15.59 per hour (minimum wage) per employee, or $623 per employee. The employer will pay the difference between the minimum wage and an employee’s full hourly wage.
The program is available only if the employee has exhausted their currently available sick leave, has exhausted or is not eligible for federal or state supplemental sick leave, and the employer agrees to extend sick leave beyond current benefits. The program is available for employees to use pursuant to SF’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, including when employees are sick, self-quarantined to prevent spread, caring for a sick family member, home because of a temporary work closure in response to a public official’s recommendation, or caring for a child who is home because of school or day care closures in response to a public official’s recommendation.
Announcement »