REMINDER: CAPS Masks. CAPS is offering protective face masks to members (size: 7″ x 5.5″) and their children (size: 6″ x 5″), while supplies last. The use of protective face masks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing will need to continue this year. Show solidarity with your union while you do your best to stay safe. If you are interested in acquiring a mask, please fill out the order form here. One mask per member, please. Children’s masks are available while supplies last. We encourage you to wear CAPS’ mask to help spread our important message: Science Saves Lives. Thank you for all you have done to continue protecting California amidst these harrowing times.
Didn’t Use Your Holiday ITO in December? If you did not use your Holiday Informal Time Off (ITO), it can be carried over. Now, however, scientists must use up their PLP 2020 balances before using Holiday ITO. Holiday ITO may not be cashed out upon retirement, but it does follow an employee from department to department. “If administratively feasible,” the ITO should be used prior to July 1, 2021. If you encounter issues with your ITO, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).
Families-First Coronavirus Response Act Expired. With no action from Congress to extend the program, the Families-First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired effective December 31, 2020. CAPS has contacted CalHR, asking if the State of California will be extending the benefits into 2021, and/or replacing the benefits with something different. Thus far, CalHR has responded that they don’t know yet. Some options still exist for State Scientists whose children remain at home enrolled in distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For instance, the Family School Partnership Act allows state employees up to forty (40) hours of leave time (to be taken as vacation, annual leave, or CTO) per year (eight [8] hours per month) to: enroll, or reenroll their child in a school or with a licensed childcare provider, or to participate in activities of the school or licensed childcare provider of their child, and to address a childcare provider or school emergency, if the employee gives notice to the employer.
Alternatively, State Scientists may use any and all leave credits, including sick leave, to care for children as a result of school closures that officials determine are necessary to protect public health (see CalHR’s COVID-19 Updates for State Workers website, 5th bullet under “What Employees Should Know”).
If need be, CAPS Members are entitled to take an unpaid Leave of Absence for up to one year for various reasons. Such leave may be extended when unusual circumstances warrant it.
CAPS will notify members as soon as CalHR provides any guidance on whether additional benefits will be extended to state employees, as the pandemic continues to surge. If you are encountering difficulties securing leave while your child continues to engage in distance learning, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).
In Review. Check out what you may have missed from past CAPS Updates here:
December 29, 2020. Healthier U Connections. ?CalHR has announced the roll out in 2021 of Healthier U Connections, an innovative online wellness service that allows current state employees to continually track health behaviors and access wellness resources, such as healthy recipes, exercise videos, ask a physician, and much more. There are approximately 64 state departments currently participating, but all active state civil service employees are encouraged to participate. You must use your state email address to sign-up. If you do not see your department listed, you may participate as “Unaffiliated.” You can read more about the program and testimonials here.
Read other past messages on the CAPS Website here: http://capsscientists.org/members/caps-member-updates/. The password is Winter2020 – it IS case-sensitive.