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Dear Colleague,
CAPS recognized that some members may be displaced from their homes (and offices, if they were still reporting) amid evacuation orders as a result of the multiple wildfires across the State, and CAPS has reached out to CalHR to request that those members be provided Administrative Time Off (ATO).
CalHR responded that for counties currently designated under a State of Emergency for these wildfires, employees will be provided ATO, pursuant to California Code of Regulations 599.785.5, which allows employees to have up to five (5) days of ATO if any one of the following conditions are met: the employee’s normal place of business is temporarily closed during the employee’s normal work shift, due to the effects of the emergency; the emergency prevents the employee’s ability to find reasonable routes or transportation from the employee’s residence to the work place; the emergency presents an immediate and grave peril to the employee’s own safety, that of an employee’s immediate family member, or the employee’s principal residence; the employee is actively involved in a formal, organized effort to protect the health and safety of the general public (i.e. member of the auxiliary fire or police department or the employee is asked by local authorities to assist with sandbagging efforts); or finally, the employee needs to take time off to apply for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) because the employee is unable to apply for assistance before or after the employee’s normal work shift.
As of yesterday morning, Wednesday, August 19th, we confirmed with CalHR that employees currently under mandatory emergency evacuation orders would qualify for ATO, as long as one of the conditions listed above is met. As of this morning, Thursday, August 20th, there are mandatory evacuation orders in portions of the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Lassen, Napa, Plumas, Santa Clara, Sierra, Stanislaus, Solano, and Sonoma Counties.
If you are under an evacuation order but encounter difficulty securing ATO, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org). We hope you, your families, and your homes stay safe and healthy amid these trying times.
Due to the unprecedented events impacting State Scientists this year, all CAPS Alerts have been sent to all State Scientists in Unit 10, members and nonmembers alike. These regular communications are a privilege typically reserved for CAPS members. CAPS feels this information is too important not to share with nonmembers; however, we ask that you consider joining today. We are stronger together. Help us continue to advocate on behalf of all State Scientists.
Now is the time for unity and solidarity. Join CAPS to ensure your voice is heard. CHOOSE UNITY. CHOOSE STRENGTH. CHOOSE CAPS.