Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Amend the Monterey County Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy to extend the paid leave provisions effective January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021;
b. Direct the Director of the Human Resources and Auditor Controller Office to implement the extension of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave in the Advantage HRM/Payroll system.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Amend the Monterey County Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy to extend the paid leave provisions effective January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021;
b. Direct the Director of the Human Resources and Auditor Controller Office to implement the extension of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave in the Advantage HRM/Payroll system.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Human Resources Department developed the Monterey County Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy to provide County employees with Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave in compliance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
Effective April 1, 2020, County employees were eligible for 80 hours of Emergency Paid Sick Leave (ESPL) under six (6) different qualifying absence reasons. Furthermore, County employees were eligible for up to twelve (12) weeks of job-protected Public Health Emergency Leave if the employee was unable to work or telework due to a school/daycare closure.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act expired on December 31, 2020. However, the federal government has provided employers with an optional extension of the legislation provisions through March 31, 2021 in exchange for payroll tax credit.
With the increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the County, the Human Resources Department recommends the Board of Supervisors extend the Monterey County Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy to provide County employees who have not already exhausted the paid time off or dollar amount limits afforded by the FFCRA to use these provisions from January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021 if the employee meets the provision eligibility requirements. (see Attachment A)
If approved, the Human Resources Department will work with the Auditor Controller Office and Information Technology Department to implement the extension of the emergency paid leave through March 31, 2021.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Human Resources Department has consulted with the County Counsel’s Office, the County Administrative Office and the Auditor-Controller’s Office regarding the optional extension of the Monterey County Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy.
FINANCING:
Departments will absorb the costs associated with the leave provisions in their existing department budgets.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
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Economic Development |
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Administration |
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Health & Human Services |
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Infrastructure |
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Public Safety |
Prepared By: Wendell Sells, Management Analyst III, 796-6066
Approved By: Irma Ramirez-Bough, Director of Human Resources, 755-5043
Attachments: Board Report
Attachment A - Monterey County Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy Revised, Monterey County Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy Redline
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Implementation Policy Resolution