April 16, 2020 Alert

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your continued patience as we all navigate these unprecedented times. We strive to get you information as often and quickly as possible.  

CAPS continues to provide member assistance for individual and group representation issues related to COVID-19, individual representation issues not related to COVID-19, and advocate for safer employer practices at the workplace. 

CAPS now has a COVID-19-specific section of the CAPS website, where you can easily find all the resources that have been shared regarding the State’s response and your rights. The page can be accessed here. 

In their most recent directive to the Departments, CalHR revised their policy on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which is split into the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (E-FMLA). The revision exempts certain classifications, “health care providers” and “emergency responders,” as defined by the Department of Labor (DOL), from eligibility for FFCRA, which is specifically permitted by Federal Law. The Department of Labor definitions for “health care providers” and “emergency responders,” as they pertain to exclusion from FFCRA, are listed on the Federal Department of Labor’s website here (numbers 56 and 57).  

The list of classifications that each Department has determined meet Federal DOL definitions for exclusion from FFCRA is available here. 

CAPS is advocating on behalf of any and all members excluded from the FFCRA that if they cannot receive the benefits of FFCRA, they should be compensated commensurately with the duties they are performing. 

If you encounter issues with leave related to COVID-19 after talking to your supervisor, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org). 

Due to the unprecedented impact of the novel coronavirus, 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. 

CHOOSE UNITY! CHOOSE STRENGTH! CHOOSE CAPS!

In Solidarity,

CAPS Executive Committee