During 2020, the Federal Government established a new provision in the Family Medical Leave Act, to give employees time off from work when dealing with COVID, either when infected or when dealing with a family member that became infected. This provision expired on Dec. 31, 2020.

In January of 2021, the Board of Aldermen established a COVID sick leave policy that gave employees up to 80 hours of COVID sick leave, above and beyond the normal sick leave given to employees. This expanded sick leave policy expired June 30, 2021.

This past late summer and fall, as the Delta variant of the COVID virus became the primary source of infection, cases in NC, and across the country, surged, prompting many levels of government to reconsider the COVID sick leave issue.

• In September, the Board voted to not adopt a new COVID policy, including mandatory vaccines and expanded COVID sick leave. 
• In early November, 9 employees tested positive for the COVID virus.
• Six of those employees were able to return to work after 10 calendar days, missing between 6 and 8 days of work.
• Two employees were out additional time after the 10-day minimum due to lingering affects of the virus, missing perhaps an additional five days of work.
• One employee is still out (21 days and counting) due to COVID, with no timetable for returning to work.
• Covering employee sick leave is an acceptable expense for the ARP funds Elon has received from the Federal Government (we will receive $3.9 million in ARP funds over two years).

Option 1 To approve an additional allotment of COVID sick leave for employees who have become infected with the virus, for a maximum of 40 hours.

Option 2 Board option.