On March 19, 2021 California passed Senate Bill 95 which requires employers to provide paid sick leave for reasons related to Covid-19. The bill passing in March will be retroacted to January 1 of this year. Here are some things you should know as an employer.
Key Takeaways
• New Parameters — The supplemental paid sick leave will require employers of 25+ employees to provide sick leave pay for reasons related to Covid-19. One new addition to the bill is that it also defines employees working remotely as candidates.
• Qualifiers — According to the bill, there are seven things that qualify employees from receiving this supplemental paid sick leave. They are: 1) worker subject to quarantine or self-isolate due to Covid-19 either as ordered by the state, CDC guidelines, or local health agencies, 2) worker is advised by a health care professional to quarantine, 3) worker attended a vaccine appointment for Covid-19, 4) worker has side effects due to receiving a vaccine for Covid-19, 5) worker is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 and seeking a diagnosis, 6) worker is caring for a loved one who is quarantining or self-isolating, and 7) worker is caring for a child whose school is closed due to Covid-19.
• How Much — There is a cap of $511/day or $5,110 total per worker. Each full-time employee is allowed up to 80 hours of leave. Each part-time employee is allowed up to the amount normally worked for two weeks. And any other employee that works occasionally is allowed fourteen times their average hours worked/week within that past six months.
• Retro Active — Since the bill will retroact the payments to January 1, 2021, any employee who has missed work and meets the qualifiers can submit in writing the days on sick leave due to Covid-19. Employers will have to pay the full amount by the next normal pay cycle. Notification of this bill must also be posted in a common area within 7 days of the bill taking effect.
Contact us for more details on this new employer requirement.
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