On March 19, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that authorizes covered full-time employees to utilize up to 80 hours leave for COVID-related absences. Covered absences include the employee’s need to self-quarantine, to attend vaccination appointments, to care for an ill family member who is subject to quarantine, and to care for a child whose place of care or school is closed for reasons related to COVID-19.

An important piece of the legislation is that it is retroactive to January 1, 2021 and the leave benefit will expire September 30, 2021.  As such, any Unit 7 employee who has been forced to utilize their own personal leave time is entitled to have up to 80 hours of such leave re-credited to their balances.  Employees should make requests through their chain of command and payroll departments and should contact CSLEA should there be any problems in getting leave time credited. 

Bill Text – SB-95 Employment: COVID-19: supplemental paid sick leave. – California