Overview: Utah has enacted legislation (House Bill 173) that will provide employment protections for employees who are volunteer emergency responders.
Effective Date: May 14, 2019
Details:
Employment Protections:
House Bill 173 prohibits employers from:
· Terminating an employee solely for being a volunteer emergency responder.
· Terminating an employee who is a volunteer emergency responder for being absent or late to work because they are responding to an emergency.
Pay:
The law doesn’t require employers to pay employees for time missed because they are responding to an emergency.
Verification:
Employers are permitted to ask employees who miss work because they are responding to an emergency to provide a written statement from their emergency response supervisor stating:
· The employee responded to an emergency; and
· The time and date of the employee's service as an emergency services volunteer.
Employees must make a reasonable effort to notify their employer of any tardiness or absence related to an emergency response.
Action Required: Utah employers should review policies and practices to ensure compliance with House Bill 173 and train supervisors on how to handle requests for emergency responder leave.
Please contact your dedicated service professional with any questions.
This content provides practical information concerning the subject matter covered and is provided with the understanding that ADP is not rendering legal advice.