HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 20 (C, \_YS • 3--;
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
State of Washington
In the Matter of Adopting a Temporary }
County Policy Based on Emergency } RESOLUTION NO. ._17—20
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic }
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee declared a State of
Emergency in all Counties in Washington State to due to the public health emergency caused by
the COVID-19 virus; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Jefferson County Health Officer issued a
Public Health Order to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the
outbreak of COVID-19 to be a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved a Declaration of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 38.52 RCW vests emergency powers in the Board to take
extraordinary measures for the preservation of public health and to relieve loss, hardship, and
suffering; and
WHEREAS,the severity of the situation demands that the Board take measures to
protect the public and County employees from further transmission of COVID-19 in Jefferson
County; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved the advanced accrual of sick leave which is hereby formalized in item#3 shown below;
and
WHEREAS, current evidence suggests that this temporary public health
emergency likely will last until at least April 24, 2020; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Jefferson County
Commissioners that only during this temporary public health emergency,the following shall be
in effect:
1. The period for this temporary emergency response to COVID-19 is March 10 through
April 24, 2020, a limited period of time to pause the early transmission of Coronavirus
and to identify and treat cases which are not yet known. During this period, "Emergency
Paid Administrative Leave"may be granted as a temporary measure to provide financial
support to employees affected by COVID-19 as outlined herein. The period of the public
health emergency may be extended by the Board of County Commissioners.
2. During the period of the public health emergency, Elected Officials and Department
Directors are granted the authority to approve Emergency Paid Administrative Leave for
employees, including those employees in their trial period:
Page 1 of 3
- Who are sick or are taking care of someone who is sick.
- Who have been exposed to an individual suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
and it has been recommended by an Elected Official, Department Director or health
care professional that the employee be in isolation or quarantine.
- Who have to care for a child when their child's school or place of care has been
closed due to COVID-19.
- Who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 (60 years-old and older,
have underlying health issues, or are pregnant) and who request an accommodation.
- Who are ordered not to come to their workplace by federal, state or local government
officials or so advised by a health care professional, even though they are not sick.
During the period of the public health emergency, healthy County employees may be allowed
to work from home or another authorized location, if practical, before being placed on paid
administrative leave. Accordingly, Elected Officials and Department Directors may take
steps to assign employees to work in an isolated fashion, driving an individually assigned
vehicle or piece of equipment with no passengers and avoiding close contact with others, or
to maximize the assignment of employees to work from locations other than their County
workplace, including their homes, before authorizing emergency paid administrative.
Federal and State governments are working on leave policies designed specifically for the
COVID-19 public health emergency. Accordingly, Elected Officials and Department
Directors shall consider the use of leave specifically authorized by the federal or state
governments to address the COVID-19 health emergency. The Human Resources Manager is
available for consultation on leave policies.
3. During the period of the public health emergency, Elected Officials and Department
Directors may approve sick leave advancement, as a final safety net, for employees who
have no sick leave available to them and who have exhausted all other accrued paid leave
may use, and all other conditions are reasonable to such negative accrual. This applies to
employees, including those employees in their trial period:
- Who are sick or are taking care of someone who is sick.
- Who have been exposed to an individual suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
and it has been recommended by an Elected Official, Department Director or health
care professional that the employee be in isolation or quarantine.
- Who have to care for a child when their child's school or place of care has been
closed due to COVID-19.
- Who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 (60 years-old and older,
have underlying health issues, or are pregnant) and who request an accommodation.
- Who are ordered not to come to their workplace by federal, state or local government
officials or so advised by a health care professional, even though they are not sick.
Advanced accrual of sick leave balance will be repaid either through future positive
accruals at normal accrual rates or with a deduction from final employment payments
should an employee leave County service for any reason when their sick leave account
remains negative.
Page 2 of 3
4. County Elected Officials and Department Directors are authorized to develop alternate
work schedules to enhance social distancing and address other public health
recommendations during the period of the public health emergency.
5. As practical and authorized by their Elected Official or Department Director, employees
may be allowed to work from home during the period of the public health emergency.
Telecommuting employees may be provided with county-owned equipment to perform
their job duties or may be authorized to use their own equipment subject to configuration
by Central Services IT. Telecommuting FLSA covered employees shall observe all
normal workhours, lunches and breaks as required by State and Federal laws. All
telecommuting employees will comply with all normal safety requirements related to
their work.
PPROVED AND ADOPTED this .?3` ay of 14/00-d , 2020.
SEAL �� i JE FE'�ON i ...
. , B 1��.��►T� I�� ONERS
Greg Brotherton, Chair
•
David ullivan, Member
Q2rolynoGallaway,
6c �„t, KaDean, Member
CMC
Deputy Clerk of the Board
Page 3 of 3
Regular Agenda
Commissioners Office
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Philip Morley, County Administrator
Erin Lundgren, Clerk of the Board/Human Resources Manager
DATE: March 23, 2020
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION re: Adopting a Temporary County Policy Based on Emergency
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
As a temporary measure to protect public health and County employees under the declared State of
Emergency for COVID-19,the proposed resolution adopts a Temporary County policy based on emergency
response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed resolution establishes a temporary limited period of time from March 10 through April 24,
2020,to pause the early transmission of Coronavirus and to identify and treat cases which are not yet known.
Specifically, it grants Elected Officials and Department Directors the authority to: 1) Grant"Emergency Paid
Administrative Leave"to employees affected by COVID-19; 2) Authorize telecommuting and alternative
work schedules for employees; and 3) Approve sick leave advancement, as a final safety net, for employees
who have no sick leave available to them and who have exhausted all other accrued paid leave. The County
is prepared to negotiate the impacts of this policy with our employee unions as may be requested.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the proposed resolution adopting a Temporary County policy based on Emergency Response to the
COVID-19 Pandemic.
REVIEWED BY:
Philip Morley,County Administrator Date