A Message from Cessa Diaz, Interim Labor Relations Director
Good afternoon- On June 30, 2022, temporary benefits offered under FFCRA and subsequent extension agreements, expired for all employees, this included the loss of Emergency Paid Sick Leave hours. After discussions with Union leadership, AFSCME Local 88 and the County, an agreement has been reached to temporarily extend Emergency Paid Sick Leave through September 30, 2022. These benefits will support our employees as they continue to struggle with the impacts of COVID-19.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL)
Employees EPSL balances as of June 30, 2022, have been restored to employees’ Workday leave accruals effective July 1, 2022. Employees may now use that EPSL balance for qualified absences between July 1, 2022 and September 30, 2022. EPSL may be used retroactively. Please work with your manager if you need to correct any retroactive time entries in Workday for the timeframe noted. Qualified EPSL absences include:
The employee is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19.
The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.
The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis.
The employee is caring for an individual who has been advised to self-quarantine or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
The employee is caring for a child if the school or place of care has been closed, or the child-care provider is unavailable, due to COVID-19 precautions.
The employee is experiencing any other substantially similar condition to COVID19 specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor.
In addition to the extension of EPSL, the Leave Borrowing Program has also been extended through September 30, 2022. The Leave Borrowing program is available to employees who have exhausted all paid leave and have a child whose school or childcare provider has been closed due to COVID-19. If you have no accrued leave in your banks, it allows you to borrow against future sick and vacation leave accruals.
With appreciation,
Cessa Diaz
Interim Labor Relations Director, Multnomah County
