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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief Center

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief Center

California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave For Food Sector Workers

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued Executive Order N-51-20, requiring California food sector employers who employ 500 or more employees to provide two weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick leave to California Food Sector Workers (as further described below) who are unable to work because they have been impacted by COVID-19. Any sick leave provided will be in addition to any sick leave the Food Sector Worker was entitled to under Labor Code Section 246.

Government or Lead Agency

California Executive Department; California Labor Commissioner’s Office

Dates Available

Effective April 16, 2020 and for the duration of any statewide stay-at-home order.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Food Sector Workers range from farmworkers to workers in the retail food supply chain, including pick-up, delivery, supply, packaging, retail, or preparation. Eligible workers also include grocery workers, restaurant or fast food workers, workers at warehouses where food is stored, and workers who pick-up or deliver any food items. For more information on Food Sector Worker, please see here.

California Food Sector Workers employed by an employer with 500 or more employees are eligible for COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave if:

(1) the Food Sector Worker is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;

(2) the Food Sector Worker is advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine or self-isolate due to concerns related to COVID-19; or

(3) the Food Sector Worker is prohibited from working by the Food Sector Worker’s employer due to health concerns related to the potential transmission of COVID-19.

If an employer fails to provide COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave as required under the terms of the order, Food Sector Workers should file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner pursuant to Labor Code section 98 or 98.7.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

For more information on filing a complaint with the Labor Commissioner, please see here.

List of Additional Information

A copy of Executive Order N-51-20, which authorizes the actions described above, can be found here.

FAQ’s regarding Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Food Sector Workers can be found here.

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© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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