The costs for this leave are reimbursable through Federal tax credits

At a special Town Council meeting on Monday, August 16, 2021, the Town Council adopted an urgency ordinance that applies to businesses with 25 or fewer employees within San Anselmo.

 The ordinance requires these businesses to provide paid sick leave at a maximum rate of $511/day or $5110 in aggregate for employees who cannot telework. (Ord. §5-1(e)). These rates are consistent with the tax credits available to employers under the American Rescue Plan.

APPLICABLE USES

Under the ordinance, paid sick leave is available for any of the following reasons:

1. The Employee has been advised by a health care provider to isolate or self-quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19;
2. The Employee is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order due to COVID-19;
3. The Employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
4. The Employee needs to care for an Individual who is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19, or has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19, or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
5. The Employee needs to provide care for an Individual whose senior care provider or whose school or childcare provider is closed or unavailable in response to a public health or other public official’s recommendation;
6. The Employee is attending an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; or
7. The Employee is experiencing symptoms related to a COVID-19 vaccine that prevent the Employee from being able to work or telework.  (Ord. §5-1(d)).

NOTICATION OF EMPLOYEES

The ordinance requires employers to give notice of the availability of paid sick leave within seven days of its adoption. (Ord. §5-1(k)).  As required by state law, the ordinance includes findings explaining that the regulation is necessary to protect the public peace, health or safety. 

EMPLOYER COSTS ARE REIMBURSED THROUGH FEDERAL TAX CREDITS

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law and mandated paid sick leave for certain employees unable to work or telecommute due to COVID-19. The FFCRA included a tax credit to reimburse employers for the cost of the paid sick leave.

The ordinance requires businesses to provide paid sick leave at a maximum rate of $511/day or $5110 in aggregate for employees who cannot telework. (Ord. §5-1(e)). These rates are consistent with the tax credits available to employers under the American Rescue Plan.

 In a separate email that will be sent later this afternoon, the Town will be sending a template that may be used to notify employees of this ordinance.

This ordinance is set to expire on September 30, 2021.