The Grove | Valencia College

Additional Options for Paid Leave During COVID-19

Aug

4

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Tuesday, August 4, 2020

A Message from Amy Bosley, Vice President, Organizational Development and Human Resources

In March, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law and provides additional options for paid leave in response to COVID-19 through Thursday, December 31, 2020.

The FFCRA makes available Emergency Paid Sick Leave  (EPSL), which provides up to two weeks of pay for all employees for reasons related to COVID-19. Though allowed by the act, Valencia will not reduce the amount of pay provided in EPSL, and employees will be paid their full salary/wage for the two weeks of EPSL.

The FFCRA also makes available Emergency Family Medical Leave (EFMLA), providing support for families whose children are not able to attend school or day care because of closures. This leave provides for up to 12 weeks of EFMLA, 10 of which are paid at 2/3 the regular daily rate of pay, up to $200 (or a maximum benefit of $10,000).

Because many of us are able to work remotely and those who are required to work on-site have considerable flexibility in their schedules, most of us will be able to flex our scheduled work hours to manage the many demands on our time, including caring for children. Please work with your supervisor in this case. In the event, however, that you are unable to meet those obligations with flex time, the EFMLA may provide needed support to help you care for your child(ren) if you are eligible.

In order to be eligible for EFMLA, your child(ren)’s school, child care or place of care must be closed — or the child care provider must be unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19. You would not qualify for EFMLA if your child’s school is open and offering a traditional classroom setting, but you alternatively chose a virtual or online instructional option offered by the school.

For questions regarding eligibility, types of supporting documentation or other available options regarding your specific circumstances, please contact a representative from Organizational Development and Human Resources (ODHR) at HR4U@valenciacollege.edu, or call the HR4U helpline at 407-299-5000, extension 4748.

We appreciate and understand the complexities of managing work and family obligations during this critical time and look forward to supporting you with any questions you may have.

Related Tags: benefits, coronavirus, leave