Could You Lose Your Job if You Get COVID-19?

With the omicron variant taking over, COVID-19 has become more contagious than ever. Worrying about your health and the health of your loved ones is bad enough; do you have to worry about your job, too?

Technically, it’s possible for some companies to fire workers who get sick or to require them to take time off without pay. Is it likely? Experts say no. But still, it’s better to know the rules and to talk to your employer before you get sick.

What Determines If You’re at Risk?

Legal protections in the U.S. are unclear and limited. But experts say most employers are striving to get through the pandemic with an intact and happy workforce.

“Employers are forced to be more nimble in this day and age,” said attorney Lisa Banks, a member of the American Bar Association Section on Labor