2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

Monday March 29, 2021 1:16 pm

Effective March 29, 2021, California employers must provide employees with supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) for various COVID-related absences in addition to paid time off benefits employees receive by law or policy, e.g., non-COVID paid sick leave or vacation. The new law applies retroactively to January 1, 2021, and is effective through September 30, 2021. Here is a summary of key provisions, which are outlined in the linked notice from California’s Department of Industrial Relations.

Hours:
80 hours for full time and prorated for less than full time

Eligibility:
All employees (except rehired annuitants and in part for work study students)

Reasons for Leave Usage:

• Employee is subject to a quarantine order from the appropriate agency
• Employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19
• The covered employee is attending an appointment to receive a vaccine for protection against contracting COVID-19.
• The covered employee is experiencing symptoms related to a COVID-19 vaccine that prevent the employee from being able to work or telework.
• The covered employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis.
• The covered employee is caring for a family member, as defined, who is subject to a COVID-19 quarantine or isolation period or has been advised by a healthcare provided to quarantine due to COVID-19.
• The covered employee is caring for a child, as defined, whose school or place of care is closed or otherwise unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19 on the premises.

For additional information or if you have questions, please contact Ms. Griselda Marquez, Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion, at grgmarquez@fullerton.edu.