KING 5 in Seattle Quotes Karin Jones on Expanded Paid Leave Available to Parents Under CARES Act

Labor and employment partner Karin Jones was interviewed by KING 5 for a piece titled “Parents struggling with childcare may take up to 12 weeks of paid leave,” published August 18, 2020. The story discusses paid leave available to some parents under the CARES Act expansion for the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The expanded paid leave is required to be offered by employers with fewer than 500 employees, but employers with fewer than 50 employees, as well as certain medical providers, may opt out.

Jones said that workers who have faced changes in their childcare can take leave, and parents working from home might also consider applying for it. “If you’re having difficulty with teleworking, and it’s really hard or impossible to do your job while looking after little kids, you’re absolutely entitled to ask for this leave,” she said. “So, it’s an important point to keep in mind. It’s not just for those who can only physically do their job at the office or the store.”