Child Care at the Workplace - FAQs:

Depending on the severity of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may recommend closing child care, schools, colleges, and universities and recommend other child social distancing measures.  Employers should be very cautious about establishing child care centers for employees that have children because this could undermine CDC’s child social distancing recommendations and contribute to the spread of pandemic influenza. Also, bringing children into the workplace may increase the likelihood of the virus entering the workplace and infecting employees.  Employers should consider other alternatives such as staggered shifts or teleworking as a first step to enabling families to remain productive at work while caring for one another.

Note: As an overall matter, employers should be guided in their relationship with their employees by federal, state, and local employment law, and by the company-specific application of these laws as reflected in employee handbooks, manuals, and contracts (including bargaining agreements).

Not all of the employment laws referenced apply to all employers or all employees, particularly state and local government agencies.  For information on whether a particular employer or employee is covered by a law, please use the links provided for more detailed information.  This information is not intended for federal agencies or federal employees -- they should contact the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for guidance.