Phoenix – During a Special Meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, emergency exceptions to the County’s employee leave and teleworking policies were unanimously approved. The changes follow the CDC’s recommendations and will help protect the health of the county’s workforce while ensuring essential services to the public.
The changes approved by the Board include:
● Authorize up to 10 days of Emergency Leave with Pay for employees who test positive for COVID-19 or who have COVID-19 symptoms
● Allow employees to use their Sick Leave to care for their dependent children while schools are closed due to COVID-19
● Employees who are authorized to telework by their Appointing Authority may do so and watch their dependent children at the same time
● Allowing employees who have exhausted their Vacation Time and Sick Time to borrow up to 80 hours of paid leave from their future accruals to care for their dependent children
● Custodial parents, custodial stepparents, and custodial grandparents raising minor children, or anyone having primary caregiver responsibilities for children or dependent disabled adults are eligible for the teleworking and paid leave options above
● Employees exhibiting symptoms that mirror those of COVID-19 are required to stay home until 72 hours after symptoms clear
● The exceptions to county employee leave (HR2415) and teleworking (HR2409) are in effect for 60 days.