Efforts to stop the coronavirus have had far-reaching impacts. The need for time-off for health or child-care reasons is one of the most widespread impacts.
In April, the federal government passed a law called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which is effective through December 31, 2020. The U.S. Department of Labor explains that the “requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.”
The City of Salem has provided additional options to assist employees. The chart below outlines the combined options available to City of Salem employees and Salem Housing Authority.
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FFCRA Paid Sick Leave (EPSL)
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FFCRA Expanded FMLA*
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Standard
FMLA/OFLA
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City of Salem/Housing Employees
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Requirements
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Employment
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None
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Employed 30 calendar days
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1250 hours over last 12 months
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N/A
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Duration
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80 hours
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12 weeks within a 12-month period or 12/31/20
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12 weeks within a 12-month period
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Ends with City Council’s emergency declaration
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Salary replacement
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1. is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or
isolation order related to COVID-19;
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100% up to $511/day
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Unpaid or use available leaves
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Request telework; Use available leaves; borrow 80 hours from future accrual
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2. has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;
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100% up to $511/day
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Unpaid or use available leaves
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Request telework; Use available leaves; borrow 80 hours from future accrual
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3. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking
a medical diagnosis;
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100% up to $511/day
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Unpaid or use available leaves
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Use available leaves; apply for catastrophic leave bank; borrow 80 hours from future leaves
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4. is caring for an individual subject to an order described
in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);**
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2/3 up to $200/day
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Unpaid or use available leaves
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Request telework; use available leaves to make up 1/3; borrow 80 hours from future leaves
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5. is caring for his or her child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) due to COVID-19 related reasons;**
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2/3 up to $200/day
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2/3 pay (max $200/day); first 10 days unpaid or EPSL or accrued leave;
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Unpaid or use available leaves
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Request telework; use available leaves to make up 1/3; borrow 80 hours from future leaves
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6. is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
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2/3 up to $200/day
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2/3 pay (max $200/day); first 10 days unpaid or EPSL or accrued leave;
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Unpaid or use available leaves
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use available leaves to make up 1/3; borrow 80 hours from future leaves
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*The expanded family and medical leave act adds a new category for using protected leave but does not provide additional weeks of leave. If you have already exhausted all of your protected leave in the past 12 months, the expanded leave is not available. If you have used a portion of your protected leave, you may use the remainder for COVID. For example, if you have six weeks of protected leave left between now and December 31, 2020, you may use those six weeks for COVID-related child care.
**If a school is using a hybrid approach to education where students are receiving both remote and in- person instruction, employees can only use leave for the days scheduled for remote leave. The City of Salem Quick Facts emailed on 9/3/2020 to employees states the City is paying 100% of employee salaries for emergency paid sick leave.
Leaves do not accrue and cannot be cashed out.
City of Salem COVID protected leave application process
To receive the FFCRA benefits, you must complete the City’s COVID Protected Leave Application Form (HR17COVID)
To return to work, you must complete the City’s Return to Work form.
For additional information, see the City’s Frequently Asked Questions about COVID Protected Leave.
Additional resources
The following resources are only available on the City’s internal network. You must be logged into the City’s network to view these resources:
- Advance Leave Request Form – Use this form to borrow up to 80 hours of future paid leaves.
- Pandemic Payout Form – Use this form to use your available leaves to make up the 1/3 of your salary not covered by FFCRA payments.
- Time Entry Guidance – Information about how to fill-out your timecard when you are using COVID related leaves.
