— | THE CITY OF N ASHUA "The Gate City"
Adniunistrative Services Division
Date: April 21, 2021
To: Mayor Donchess
Board of Aldermen
From: Kim Kleiner, Administrative Services Director
Subject: Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 Policy Amendment
To Mayor Donchess and the Honorable Board of Aldermen:
On March 16, 2020 the Board of Aldermen approved the City’s Temporary Policy on Shutdowns
and Emergency Leave due to Coronavirus Disease COVID-19. The policy paid employees
regular wages if they were unable to work due to closure of City buildings, and to employees
who should quarantine themselves due to potential exposure to or presence of COVID-19, and to
employees who could not make necessary child care arrangements due to effects of the
pandemic.
On July 6th the policy was changed and stated that employees would be required to physically
report to work or work remotely, unless they are quarantined “pursuant to a Federal, State, or
local government order or advice of a health care provider;” or pursuant to the Families First
Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), because of a bona fide need to care for an individual
subject to quarantine or care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or
unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19. The policy provided for up to 12 weeks of leave
for child care at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay.
An additional amendment was approved in November which stated that any employee
quarantined due to a Federal, State, or local government order requiring quarantine following
out-of-state or out-of-region travel will receive pay for up to two weeks (2x regularly scheduled
work week) maximum and should there be subsequent quarantines for that reason, employees
must utilize personal leave time if available and as prescribed by their collective bargaining
agreement or policy.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired December 31, 2020. Due to
transmission rates and the number COVID19 cases the city held the temporary policy in effect to
reduce barriers or challenges that could result in employees reporting to work sick.
In consideration of the current levels of vaccination, the opening of our public schools and after
discussion with public health officials we are requesting that the Board of Aldermen remove the
Temporary Policy on Shutdowns and Emergency Leave due to Coronavirus Disease COVID-19,
effective May 1.
