Published Date: 2021-03-30

COVID-related ATO extended through end of September 

The COVID-19 extended sick leave program that expired December 31, 2020, has been extended retroactively from January 1, 2021, through the end of September 2021. SB 95, authored by Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, was introduced December 16, 2020, to preempt the program’s expiration. After a series of policy hearings, amendments, and votes from both houses of the State Legislature, the bill’s final language was passed to the governor on March 18. Governor Newsom signed SB 95 into law March 19.

SB 95 provides 80 hours of additional sick leave for COVID-related absences and illnesses, including vaccine-related illnesses and absences. The leave program functions in the same manner as that fought for and acquired last April. As you may recall, CAPT pressured the state to deliver an alternative leave program in the form of Administrative Time Off after the state moved to exempt Psych Techs from the expanded employee leave benefits created by last year’s FFCRA.

Since last April, BU 18 employees have been entitled to receive up to 80 hours of ATO for a COVID-related illness. Thanks to SB 95, the ATO program remains in full force through September as if it was never interrupted. If you used your own sick time for COVID-related absences, you are entitled to replace your sick leave with ATO. For complete policy details outlined by CalHR, visit the CalHR Human Resources Manual at Policy Section 2127. Covid-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave.

At the start of the pandemic, CAPT designated FMLA expert Tessa Hannula as the point person to assist CAPT members with their extended leave benefits. Tessa, who serves the Atascadero Chapter as its chapter secretary, has been instrumental as an advocate and navigator of our leave benefits during this unprecedented public health crisis. If you have any issues getting the leave benefit you are entitled to, please contact Tessa Hannula at Tessa.fmla@yahoo.com for assistance.

March 30, 2021 | Download Flier