Renewal of the COVID Leave Bank Program

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COVID-19 Nasal Swab Test

Following the expiration of the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Expanded FMLA (EFMLA) on September 30, 2021, Albemarle County Public Schools created a COVID Leave Bank program equivalent to 10 days of leave for all regular employees. While this program expired on June 30, 2022, given the highly contagious COVID-19 variants in the county, ACPS is reinstating the COVID Leave Bank program retroactive to July 1, 2022. The bank is accessible to benefits-eligible regular employees who are symptomatic, those who test positive for the virus, and those who must take leave as the primary caregiver of someone who contracts the virus.

Key Points

  • The COVID Leave Bank will be set to the equivalent of 10 days of COVID leave for all benefits-eligible regular employees, retroactive to July 1, 2022. (Note: Extra duty assignments, such as summer school, tutoring, and temporary work, that do not accrue or permit the use of paid leave are not eligible at this time.)
  • Employees should ask their supervisors to submit historical corrections for sick leave taken from July 1 – August 26 for COVID-19-related reasons.
  • The length of the program will be determined as the school year progresses; updates will be communicated as necessary.
  • All employees are encouraged to stay home any time they feel ill and seek appropriate medical care as needed.

Kronos should be used for this leave program. When applicable, timekeepers/supervisors will use the COVID19-Sick Self Cascade 10.2021 or COVID19-Sick Family Casc 10.2021 codes. These leave codes will be visible to timekeepers/supervisors by end-of-day on Monday, August 29.

Supervisors and/or timekeepers will approve the designated leave on timecards during normal payroll duties. COVID Leave Forms are no longer required.

Note: In the event an employee exhausts all form of paid leave and remains incapacitated due to COVID-19, the employee should reach out to Human Resources to learn about potential options.

Please refer to the school division’s COVID-19 Response website, and specifically the Mitigation Strategies page, for current information and guidance regarding ACPS health and safety practices. Also, please note that the phone line for the Designated Infection Control Officer (434-249-2426) will no longer be monitored as of August 26, 2022.