Commissioners exclude public safety in approved paid leave policy

<p>Johnson County employees will be considered for the federally mandated COVID-19 leave on a case-by-case basis that is dependent on departmental needs.</p><p>The Johnson County Board of Commissioners met in person Wednesday to discuss how they plan to grant leave for county employees who may get sick or need to care for someone who is infected with the rapidly spreading virus.</p><p>The Families First Coronavirus Response Law requires that the county give paid leave to those who qualify, but it allows first responders to be exempted from certain types of leave, said Shena Johnson, county attorney.</p><p>Sheriff Duane Burgess lobbied for first responders to be exempt. He fears extended leave would hamstring the department, he said. If several employees were granted 10-week extended FMLA leave under the federal law, that would be a burden on the department and require significant overtime be used to cover for them, he said.</p><p>“I care for my employees, but that would be a big burden for our scheduling,” Burgess said. “I think if people look deep down, they will understand it.”</p><p>The commissioners voted 2-1 to apply the federal sick leave policy to all county employees, but to apply the FMLA policy change on a case-by-case basis to first responders.</p><p>Commissioner Ron West voted no, explaining that his dissent is based on the the fact that the commissioners already have a leave policy in place and have approved extra days off for some already.</p><p>No matter which type of employee is applying, Commissioner Brian Baird told employees that the leave is not guaranteed.</p><p>“This is not an open door to take off work,” Baird said. “Just because you think you need it doesn’t mean you are going to get it.”</p><p>Employees are to submit leave requests to the county’s legal department for consideration. If approved, it will be passed on to the auditor’s office for implementation, Johnson said.</p><p>The commissioners on Wednesday also extended the county building closure to April 14. The board will meet for its regular meeting at 10 a.m. April 13 to re-evaluate the closure.</p><p>For more information on federal leave for COVID-19, visit <a href="http://dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave">dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave</a>.</p>