Expert Opinion Needed Ref Covid 19 Subject

I am attaching (I hope) a link regarding payment for work missed due to quarantining due to Covid 19 issues. I am not currently ill, but was notified by my trainer that he had tested positive (‘Rapid Test’ I believe) on Friday after we returned to ‘The Mother Ship’. I took a test on Saturday and am now waiting for the results (2 - 5 business days). I have been directed by the recruiter/de facto HR Manager, via text message, to stay home until I have the results and to then advise Management.

I don’t want to rock the boat as I am a trainee, but I do want what is mine based upon the government’s rulings. Can somebody, anybody, advise me as to whether we as truckers are eligible for the benefits set forth in this link? I’ll hang up and read any/all responses and act accordingly.

Thank you

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

Cincybeerhawk

I'm no expert, but my understanding of that rule is that it only applies to businesses with 500 employees or less. A quick search of Home Run trucking in Ohio (I think that's your employer based on your profile) shows about 300 exployees.

The rule also states that employees receive their hourly rate up to 80 hours. I don't know how that would work in trucking because you're typically not paid hourly.

How long have you been working there? Are you an employee? Meaning have you filled out I9 and W4 forms? Have you gotten paid at all?

Your best bet would be to ask your recruiter. If you're really hard pressed for it, file for unemployment for the time you're not working.

I'm not sure if you could or not, are you able to financially go a couple weeks if needed without pay? Most people can't and theres nothing to be ashamed of if you can't. I'd try to avoid forcing them to pay you especially still being in training. A call to HR may be the best to see what type of options are available to help you financially but don't demand to be paid. My employer has too many employees to qualify for this but this is how they're set to handle it unless things have changed in the last couple months. If forced to quarantine we're allowed to burn vacation time up or file a claim with short term disability. Of course disability doesn't cover the entire amount we would earn working but it's better than nothing.

When all of this first started, Prime was paying company drivers $700 per week as "covid pay" if they were sick and awaiting testing. Idk of they have continued this....

But just ask your company nicely. Not "get what's mine"... That sounds entitlemently bratty. More like "because this is a covid issue, is there any sort of compensation I need to request and how do I do that?" That makes it sound as though you are seeking advice not demanding money.

Good, no, great advice from all of you. Thanks!

Rob: Yes, fortunately my wife and I are capable of handling a couple of weeks without my training pay and the idea of tugging on the apron strings (metaphorically, of course) of Mother in Xenia is not the type of impression I want to make so soon into my employment with Home Run.

Kearsey: My choice of words (get what’s mine) was inappropriate, you are correct. I should have phrased it better and a bit softer, I agree. I will use your suggestion if circumstances proceed to that point.