| ITEM #: 4. DATE: 07/18/2022 AI #:1007 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | COVID-19 LEAVE FOR COVID POSITIVE CASES (EXTENSION) |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Lyman Locket, Human Resources Director |
SUMMARY
In January of 2022, Council approved a 7-month extension of paid leave for employees testing positive for COVID-19 or for those who are experiencing symptoms from receiving a
COVID vaccination/booster. The approval of this extension included a stipulation to review the status and necessity of continuing the leave no later than August 2022.
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we are requesting Council approval for another extension of paid leave for employees testing positive for COVID-19 or for those who are experiencing symptoms from receiving a COVID vaccination/booster. We request that the extension be granted for 6 months with a review no later than January 2023.
Employees who are ill will be required to provide proof of a laboratory confirmed or a clinically diagnosed COVID-19 positive test or proof of a recent vaccination to access the leave. Based on our experience, we estimate that on average approximately 8 to 12 employees per month will access the leave.
COVID vaccination/booster. The approval of this extension included a stipulation to review the status and necessity of continuing the leave no later than August 2022.
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we are requesting Council approval for another extension of paid leave for employees testing positive for COVID-19 or for those who are experiencing symptoms from receiving a COVID vaccination/booster. We request that the extension be granted for 6 months with a review no later than January 2023.
Employees who are ill will be required to provide proof of a laboratory confirmed or a clinically diagnosed COVID-19 positive test or proof of a recent vaccination to access the leave. Based on our experience, we estimate that on average approximately 8 to 12 employees per month will access the leave.
Recommendation
Approve 6-month extension for paid leave for employees testing positive for COVID-19 or for employees experiencing symptoms from receiving a COVID vaccination/booster. (Lyman Locket, Human Resources Director)
FISCAL IMPACT
It is estimated that 8-12 employees per month will avail themselves of this leave. The majority of this leave will have no budgetary impact as employees will continue to get paid their budgeted salary while on COVID leave. In the event that backfills are necessary to ensure adequate staffing it is anticipated that the cost of these backfills will be absorbed within the departments currently allocated budget.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
The availability of paid leave is a key component of managing and encouraging employees to stay home if they do not feel well. During the period of April 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020 the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) required us to pay leave related to the pandemic. Once the mandated program ended, we presented and received Council approval to extend the benefit through May 31, 2021. In September 2021, Council approved to reinstate paid leave for employees testing positive for COVID-19 and/or who are experiencing symptoms from receiving a COVID vaccination/booster, retroactive to June 1, 2021 with a stipulation to review this leave in 90-days (January 2022).
In September 2021, Council approved to reinstate paid leave for employees testing positive for COVID-19 and/or who are experiencing symptoms from receiving a COVID vaccination/booster, retroactive to June 1, 2021 with a stipulation to review this leave in 90-days (January 2022).
Due to the impact of the Omicron variant, Council approved the extension of the paid leave an additional 7 months, with a review no later than August 2022.
In September 2021, Council approved to reinstate paid leave for employees testing positive for COVID-19 and/or who are experiencing symptoms from receiving a COVID vaccination/booster, retroactive to June 1, 2021 with a stipulation to review this leave in 90-days (January 2022).
Due to the impact of the Omicron variant, Council approved the extension of the paid leave an additional 7 months, with a review no later than August 2022.
STAFF ANALYSIS
COVID-19 Leave utilization during this extension (June 2021 to June 2022) is as follows:
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We estimate that on average approximately 8 to 12 employees per month will continue to access the leave.
We estimate that on average approximately 8 to 12 employees per month will continue to access the leave.