After weeks of Teamster pressure, the University updated the Covid-19 related leaves guidance to allow pay continuation through June 30, 2020 for pregnant and other staff particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 illness. If a career staff person has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine and they are not allowed or able to work from home, have used available paid leave under UC policy and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (see below), and they meet the other qualifications, they should be eligible for continued pay through June 30, 2020.
UC Labor Relations Guidance:
If an employee has been advised to self-quarantine by their health care provider due to concerns related to COVID-19, is the employee eligible for pay continuation? (Added 5/4/20)
The University understands there may be situations where an employee’s health care provider has advised the employee to self-quarantine because (a) the employee has COVID-19 or may have COVID-19; or (b) the employee is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. If such employees cannot work remotely (either because it is not operationally feasible or because their health care provider has advised against it) , the employee may be eligible for pay continuation if requirements i, iii, and iv in question 4 [below] are satisfied, even if requirement ii is not met. To request pay continuation in a situation like this, the employee should contact their supervisor. Locations should request that the employee provide documentation from their health care provider confirming that the health care provider has advised the employee to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19. If the health care provider has advised against working remotely, the documentation should state that.
Pay continuation for staff employees through June 30, 2020
In keeping with the commitment that no Career Staff will suffer layoff or reduction in paid hours, through June 30, 2020, the University issued the following pay continuation guidelines. The UC guidelines may be viewed here.
“A Career staff employee may be eligible for pay continuation through June 30, 2020 if they satisfy all of the necessary requirements.” If you would like to read the full text of leave requirements i, iii and iv noted above, click here and see No. 4 at the bottom of page two.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
It is important to request Paid Administrative Leave under the FFCRA if you think you qualify by using the University of California Employee Request Form. Click here to retrieve it.
If you have previously requested FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and or Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act hours and were denied, request the paid time again using the form in the link. If you are denied, make sure to let your Union Representative know so that we can advocate on your behalf.