MANSFIELD — Richland County commissioners on Tuesday approved temporary policies regarding emergency sick leave and extended family medical leave act time for employees.
Both of the new policies are in keeping with the recently enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act, tenants of which take affect Wednesday, commissioners said.
The policies cover departments under commissioners’ purview, though Human Resources Director Kelly Christiansen will also send to departments led by other elected officials.
The policies were approved unanimously by commissioners Tony Vero and Marilyn John, as well as Commissioner Darrell Banks, who participated in the meeting via conference call. Christiansen participated via phone, also.
Richland County temporary emergency paid sick leave policy
“I anticipate a lot of requests,” said Christiansen, adding the policies had been reviewed by the county prosecutor’s office.
Under the sick leave policy, all full- and part-time employees may use emergency sick leave if they are unable to work (or telework) before using other accrued paid sick leave for the following six reasons:
1. The employee is subject to federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19.
2. The employee has been advised by a health-care professional to self-quarantine because of COVID-19.
3. The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis.
4. The employee has a bona fide need to care for an individual who has been ordered or advised to quarantine or isolate.
5. To care for a child under 18 years old due to the unavailability of school or childcare due to COVID-19.
6. For similar conditions as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Workers taking leave for reasons one, two and three are entitled to two weeks of emergency sick leave at full pay. Part-time employees are entitled to the equivalent of the hours they work on average during a two-week period.
Those taking leave for reasons four, five and six will receive two-thirds of their regular pay or two-thirds of minimum wage, whichever is higher. Part-time employees are entitled to two-thirds pay for the equivalent of the hours they work on average during a two-week period.
Commissioners discussed, but decided against, an option that would have allowed employees to supplement their two-thirds pay weeks by using one-third of their accrued vacation, personal or comp time.
Employees unable to return to work after two weeks may apply for FMLA under the new temporary policy.
The policy does include exemptions for workers who are health care providers and emergency responders as defined by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Richland County temporary expanded FMLA policy
In the expanded FMLA policy, up to 12 weeks of emergency family and/or medical leave may be granted for individuals with qualifying reasons related to COVID-19.
It would be available for employees who are unable to work (or telework) due to the need to care for a son or daughter under 18 years of age if the child’s school or place of care has been closed due to COVID-19 or if the child care provider is unavailable due to COVID-19.
Similar to the temporary sick leave policy, some employees are exempt, including healthcare providers and emergency responders. If eligibility arises from a school closure, that eligibility will expire at the end of the originally scheduled end of the school year.
The first two weeks will be paid based upon the new temporary emergency paid sick leave policy and the remaining 10 weeks at two-thirds pay.
Employees who falsify the need for paid sick or leave or FMLA under the temporary new policies will be subject to disciplinary action.
The policies are in effect April 1 through Dec. 31, though commissioners also reserved the right to amend or rescind the new policies at any time.
Also on Tuesday, commissioners:
— approved payments totaling $21,655 for board of elections poll workers related to the March 17 primary election date that was halted late on March 16 due to COVID-19 concerns.
— approved the purchase of three used vehicles for the county’s adult court services, totaling $57,785. Money for the purchase does not come from the county’s general fund.
— approved a donation from the Black River Group of a banner for the courthouse in honor of first responders and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
— approved the hiring of an office manager for Dayspring, the county home, at the rate of $18 per hour.
