Are employees entitled to any leave options through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)?

Update: March 17, 2021

No, under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), employers were required to provide employees with job-protected FFCRA leave through the law's effective period from April 1, 2020-December 31, 2020. With the expiration of the FFCRA, however, this leave requirement has come to an end.

How much of my accrued sick leave can I use and will I still be medically insured during that time?

Any leave greater than 10 consecutive days will require an official leave of absence (LOA). If a staff member is approved for a temporary LOA under the Family and Medical Leave Act, they can use their available leave (e.g. sick, personal or annual) to stay in a paid status and cover their retirement and benefit contributions. If staff are approved for an extended LOA, such as child rearing leave, then they are not allowed to use your available leave.

If my ADA accommodation is not approved, how will I communicate my second preference for when directed to return to my work site?

Updated February 8, 2021

The commitment form survey is non-binding, so staff members who are not approved for an ADA accommodation will be notified either by email or phone by the ADA coordinator, and will have the option to select another preference from the return to workplace commitment form.  

What medical conditions are identified as being at an increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 and as a result may be permitted to work virtually?

HCPSS is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines which identifies certain underlying medical conditions that are at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. View the list of medical conditions on the CDC web site.

Please note: the medical conditions that might be at an increased risk are not in HCPSS’s list of automatically qualifying conditions. 

What PPE will be provided to staff, and will it meet proper health and safety guidelines?

Updated February 3, 2021

The correct supply of PPE has been provided to all schools based on the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The supply of PPE should not impact any rotation issues as long as staff follow the manufacturer’s care and use guidelines of the PPE. Staff will receive two reusable masks and additional supplies have been ordered to be able to provide masks to staff every eight weeks based on manufacturer’s guidelines. 

The following will be provided to schools and offices: