Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Eric Algoe, Vice President for Finance and Support Services | March 31, 2020
Email sent to faculty and staff
Signed into law on March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provides two new distinct leave categories that Texas State University is making available to all students, staff, and faculty to alleviate some of the work, health, family, and leave challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The FFCRA is effective April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Since this is a new emergency measure being implemented in a very short time frame, we are asking supervisors to work closely with employees to make sure they are aware of their options and can make the best decision for themselves and their families.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the act and how it impacts Texas State employees by visiting our COVID-19 Faculty and Staff Resource Page. While we quickly implemented more flexible work schedules, remote work, and telecommuting, this act provides even more options for our valued employees. Please note, if you are able to remote work or telecommute, then you may not be able to take the leave.
Here are the two new provisions:
EMERGENCY PAID SICK LEAVE
Effective Dates: April 1 through December 31, 2020
Eligible Employees: Any Texas State employee
Amount of Leave:
Full time employees: up to 80 hours
Part-time employees: the average hours the employee works over a two-week period
Eligible Circumstances:
When, due to COVID-19 conditions, an employee is unable to be physically present or telework and is:
1. subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order;
2. advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine;
3. experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
4. caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantined as described in (2);
5. caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed; or
6. experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by federal or state authorities.
Rate of Pay for Leave:
For situations numbered 1-4 and 6 on the list above, Texas State will pay a full-time employee the full rate of pay for up to 80 hours and a part-time employee will receive full pay for an average number of hours.
Reporting:
Employees should first discuss their leave request directly with their supervisors and then complete the formbeing developed by the Office of Human Resources.
CHILD CARE: EMERGENCY FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE EXPANSION ACT
Effective Dates: April 1 through December 31, 2020
Eligible Employees: Any employee employed for at least 30 days
Amount of Leave: Up to 10 weeks beyond the two weeks of Emergency Paid Sick Leave described above
Eligible Circumstances:
When, due to COVID-19 conditions, an employee is unable to telecommute or be physically present in order to care for a child under 18 years of age due to the closure of the child's school or place of care, or unavailability of a childcare provider. The definition of eligible child here is the same as has always been the case under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Rate of Pay for Leave:
The employee shall receive two-thirds of salary, provided the total amount paid does not exceed $200 a day.
Reporting:
Employees should first discuss their leave request directly with their supervisors and then complete the form being developed by the Office of Human Resources.
If you are eligible and plan to request either of these options, please visit SAP. Remember to first familiarize yourself with guidance on your eligibility and determine whether an FFCRA option is best for your specific situation.
We appreciate your continued commitment to the Bobcat Community as together, we balance safety priorities with the essential work of running the university.
Please note that the Department of Labor is in the process of drafting regulations for the FFCRA. This guidance may be altered by subsequent statutes, regulations, or institutional needs.